It is 4:00 in the afternoon and the temperature is a cool 80 degrees! YEAH!
PS: Cable guy came on Monday and as in the past, they met my expectations. No cable service and now I'm being charged for it. Called and complained and they are going to "rush" right over to fix it...by September 9th!
WELCOME!
T - i - double G - grrrr
August 29, 2007
August 23, 2007
Words
It has been a while since I've blogged. "Blogged", hmmmm, is that actually a word? I guess it has to be, "Googled" is a word now. So is "Swifter", as in "I'm going to swifter the floor". I find words interesting and fascinating. I have a friend who is 20+ years younger than me and she often uses words that I have no idea what they mean.
Sometimes she goes for walks with me and she shares stories of things that happen in her life that can pretty much take up the entire hour. Except she has to stop and explain things to me when she uses words I've never heard. An example is a word she used for a guy she worked with that chewed tobacco. I had no idea what the word was or what it meant. I'm thinking it had something to do with drugs so I just had to ask. She explained the word to me and a cute little smile came across her face that showed me she likes it when she knows things I don't.
Anyway, Gary and I are VERY excited because his brother Steve is coming here with his wife Mary this weekend. Steve and Mary are great fun and we so enjoy spending time with them. Gary's band has a gig at a local college welcoming foreign students to the USofA. They will be doing all 50's and 60's music. Steve will sing with them since he knows the words to practically every song out there. I hope to get some good pictures and will post them in a future entry. Mary's mother is going through cancer treatment so for those of you who spend time in prayer if you could include prayers for her and the family it would be much appreciated.
Oh, one more quick update. Gary and I have not had cable TV since we moved into the apartment. Couple of reasons, one - they wanted too much money for something that just entertains us, and two - we were waisting too much of our lives watching it just because we had hundreds of channels to surf. The neat thing about having limited channels is that you really don't become a slave to TV. The really bad thing is that you have to rely on "rabbit ears" (let's see if my young friend knows what that means) to get any kind of reception. It is fun to watch Gary turn the antenna this way, then that way, then hold it with one leg in the air and touching the lamp; you get the picture. Well, you get the picture but we rarely do. Today I found out that I might be able to get cable (local channels only) for $11/month. I'm willing to pay that and I like the limited channels but really REALLY miss ESPN during football season. However, I'm skeptical since I doubt the cable people know what they are talking about (this is based on a personal horror story with cable people). We'll find out on Monday!
Sometimes she goes for walks with me and she shares stories of things that happen in her life that can pretty much take up the entire hour. Except she has to stop and explain things to me when she uses words I've never heard. An example is a word she used for a guy she worked with that chewed tobacco. I had no idea what the word was or what it meant. I'm thinking it had something to do with drugs so I just had to ask. She explained the word to me and a cute little smile came across her face that showed me she likes it when she knows things I don't.
Anyway, Gary and I are VERY excited because his brother Steve is coming here with his wife Mary this weekend. Steve and Mary are great fun and we so enjoy spending time with them. Gary's band has a gig at a local college welcoming foreign students to the USofA. They will be doing all 50's and 60's music. Steve will sing with them since he knows the words to practically every song out there. I hope to get some good pictures and will post them in a future entry. Mary's mother is going through cancer treatment so for those of you who spend time in prayer if you could include prayers for her and the family it would be much appreciated.
Oh, one more quick update. Gary and I have not had cable TV since we moved into the apartment. Couple of reasons, one - they wanted too much money for something that just entertains us, and two - we were waisting too much of our lives watching it just because we had hundreds of channels to surf. The neat thing about having limited channels is that you really don't become a slave to TV. The really bad thing is that you have to rely on "rabbit ears" (let's see if my young friend knows what that means) to get any kind of reception. It is fun to watch Gary turn the antenna this way, then that way, then hold it with one leg in the air and touching the lamp; you get the picture. Well, you get the picture but we rarely do. Today I found out that I might be able to get cable (local channels only) for $11/month. I'm willing to pay that and I like the limited channels but really REALLY miss ESPN during football season. However, I'm skeptical since I doubt the cable people know what they are talking about (this is based on a personal horror story with cable people). We'll find out on Monday!
August 15, 2007
Priorities
Ever hear that old saying: "Be careful what you ask for"? Well I think there is a lot of wisdom to it. Lately I've felt like I'm drowning at work (same old story: too much to do, too little time). Yesterday was sort of the culmination of everything that was bugging me and by the time I left work I just felt like I needed a good three hour cry.
I spent the day doing everything except what I felt needed to get done. I had gone in with good intentions and knew what "MY" priorities were. Here is the funny thing about being in full-time ministry. You have to be able to let go of your priorities, almost always. God's priorities come first. I know this but just this once I wanted God to give me a break. He didn't and so the day was spent doing things important to Him. I don't regret that but it doesn't changed how overwhelmed I feel. I went home from work and had a long talk with God. I just prayed and asked Him to "please, please" let me get at "my things".
On the way to work today I prayed that same prayer over and over again. I walked in with a plan, determined to put my head down and tackle the long list of things that remain undone on my desk. I even came in an hour early to ensure I'd have "uninterrupted" time. Well, God had a different plan. I walked in, went straight to my office, and started digging my way through the papers. I was 20 minutes into it, feeling pretty good that my plan was working and my priorities might be addressed. I went into the front office to make a copy of something. I turned on the lights and immediately knew that things were going to change.
Something dramatic happened between the time we closed yesterday and coming in today. I had no idea what the "something" was but the result of it was obvious. The ceiling in the middle of room had dropped about 2 feet and was sagging from one wall to the other wall. I looked up and said "Okay God, I give up. This is Your day, I give it to You. Let Your priorities be my priorities and let me at peace with it."
I went back to my office and proceeded to make calls to the landlord to see if I needed to close for the day (structural problem?). We didn't, the day went on, a little crazier than the normal craziness but no one died. The ceiling got fixed and I went on to the next priority that presented itself.
With the day at an end I reflect back on the previous one and my prayer. I remember saying something like, "Dear God, it feels like things are caving in on me and I don't understand why I can't just do the work on my desk. I understand the importance of counseling with a mom frightened because her immature 17 year old is pregnant, I understand the need to pray with a volunteer in great emotional pain, I understand the need to support staff because they had a difficult client. I get it, BUT my job still needs to get done." I really remember using the words "caving in". Coming in this morning to a ceiling that was literally caving in reminded me that things could be worse. But some things just aren't as important as loving someone who doesn't think they are lovable, or crying with someone who doesn't have anyone to share their grief with, or praying with someone who hasn't prayed in a very long time. No things, are just things. Here today, gone tomorrow. But people, they are precious, unique, and eternal. God's priorities always deal with the eternal and I think He was just making sure I remembered that.
I spent the day doing everything except what I felt needed to get done. I had gone in with good intentions and knew what "MY" priorities were. Here is the funny thing about being in full-time ministry. You have to be able to let go of your priorities, almost always. God's priorities come first. I know this but just this once I wanted God to give me a break. He didn't and so the day was spent doing things important to Him. I don't regret that but it doesn't changed how overwhelmed I feel. I went home from work and had a long talk with God. I just prayed and asked Him to "please, please" let me get at "my things".
On the way to work today I prayed that same prayer over and over again. I walked in with a plan, determined to put my head down and tackle the long list of things that remain undone on my desk. I even came in an hour early to ensure I'd have "uninterrupted" time. Well, God had a different plan. I walked in, went straight to my office, and started digging my way through the papers. I was 20 minutes into it, feeling pretty good that my plan was working and my priorities might be addressed. I went into the front office to make a copy of something. I turned on the lights and immediately knew that things were going to change.
Something dramatic happened between the time we closed yesterday and coming in today. I had no idea what the "something" was but the result of it was obvious. The ceiling in the middle of room had dropped about 2 feet and was sagging from one wall to the other wall. I looked up and said "Okay God, I give up. This is Your day, I give it to You. Let Your priorities be my priorities and let me at peace with it."
I went back to my office and proceeded to make calls to the landlord to see if I needed to close for the day (structural problem?). We didn't, the day went on, a little crazier than the normal craziness but no one died. The ceiling got fixed and I went on to the next priority that presented itself.
With the day at an end I reflect back on the previous one and my prayer. I remember saying something like, "Dear God, it feels like things are caving in on me and I don't understand why I can't just do the work on my desk. I understand the importance of counseling with a mom frightened because her immature 17 year old is pregnant, I understand the need to pray with a volunteer in great emotional pain, I understand the need to support staff because they had a difficult client. I get it, BUT my job still needs to get done." I really remember using the words "caving in". Coming in this morning to a ceiling that was literally caving in reminded me that things could be worse. But some things just aren't as important as loving someone who doesn't think they are lovable, or crying with someone who doesn't have anyone to share their grief with, or praying with someone who hasn't prayed in a very long time. No things, are just things. Here today, gone tomorrow. But people, they are precious, unique, and eternal. God's priorities always deal with the eternal and I think He was just making sure I remembered that.
August 12, 2007
Temptation
According to my temperature gage it is 102 degrees. I'm guessing that makes the "feels like" temp over 110!
So you would think that I didn't go for my walk today wouldn't you? Well, you'd be wrong. I don't know why but I did go and I did all four miles. More than that, I wasn't even the only lunatic out there. I'm happy to report though that everyone else (and there weren't that many) I saw was just as hot and sweaty as I was. Which if you've read any of my earlier posts you will know why that is important to me. Also, if you've read my other posts then you'll know why it felt so hot. The hint I'll give you is that, other than heat bugs, birds and cars, it was very quiet today. Do you remember what that means? You're right! It means there was NO wind. NONE, not even a little breeze.
I don't carry anything with me when I walk, not even water, because I figure if I do a good pace I'm back home in a little over an hour. However, I didn't count on being gone as long as I was today. Due to the heat I was not doing my 20 minutes per mile pace. I just figured I was doing good to keep going. When I was just reaching the 3 mile point I felt like I needed to just lay down in the grass and take a nap. If it wasn't for my irrational fear of bugs I might have done just that.
I cherished each time the path was shaded by a tree and began to dread each area with no shade. The sun was brutal. Oh yeah, did I mention there are no clouds today? So now I'm at 3.5 miles with half a mile to home and I realize I would do anything, pay any price, just for a drink of cool fresh clear water. I looked down at the creek which if you use a lot of imagination and hold your nose you could pretend it met those qualifications. Just as I'm thinking about how bad it would be to drink the creek water I see something on the path just down a little way.
As I stare at it, I wonder if I'm hallucinating from the heat. It looks like a bottle of something. It wasn't there when I passed this way before. One of bikers must have had it unknowingly fall off their bike. Hmmmmm...what could it be? Now close enough I can see it is a bottle of Gatorade that is half full, or is half empty? At this point in my delusional state it really doesn't matter.
Each step, now slower than ever, I took got me closer to this wonder. Since my pace was that of a tortoise I had plenty of time to think about the pros and cons of picking it up and drinking it. Now, if you are reading this and thinking that I'm crazier than you really thought I was consider where you are. Chances are you are not out in 102 degrees heat with the sun beating down on you and your tongue feeling like sandpaper. You might be in a comfortable house, apartment or office building thinking there is no way she is being tempted by that used bottle of Gatorade, possibly with some strangers backwash in it, that has been laying on the dirty path. Well, guess again because I was very tempted.
I stopped, briefly wondered if I had the energy to make my legs go again, and stared down at that bottle. I had to remind myself that I don't even like Gatorade. Not even a little. I had to tell myself that it was probably 102 degrees which is why someone threw it down. Eventually, the only beat to the temptation of drinking it was to walk away, leaving it there. I didn't even trust myself to pick it up and put in the next trash can I saw. After a few steps I thought about turning around and just looking at the orange nectar one more time but decided I was better off keeping my eyes on the path in front of me.
Temptation. It comes in unexpected places and at unexpected times. It comes in different ways for different people under different circumstances. There is no, one size fits all when it comes to temptation. Recognize yours and realize, the temptation isn't the sin, it is acting on it that is. Consider running from it every time it comes to get you. I did, I just didn't have the strength so I walked away from it instead.
So you would think that I didn't go for my walk today wouldn't you? Well, you'd be wrong. I don't know why but I did go and I did all four miles. More than that, I wasn't even the only lunatic out there. I'm happy to report though that everyone else (and there weren't that many) I saw was just as hot and sweaty as I was. Which if you've read any of my earlier posts you will know why that is important to me. Also, if you've read my other posts then you'll know why it felt so hot. The hint I'll give you is that, other than heat bugs, birds and cars, it was very quiet today. Do you remember what that means? You're right! It means there was NO wind. NONE, not even a little breeze.
I don't carry anything with me when I walk, not even water, because I figure if I do a good pace I'm back home in a little over an hour. However, I didn't count on being gone as long as I was today. Due to the heat I was not doing my 20 minutes per mile pace. I just figured I was doing good to keep going. When I was just reaching the 3 mile point I felt like I needed to just lay down in the grass and take a nap. If it wasn't for my irrational fear of bugs I might have done just that.
I cherished each time the path was shaded by a tree and began to dread each area with no shade. The sun was brutal. Oh yeah, did I mention there are no clouds today? So now I'm at 3.5 miles with half a mile to home and I realize I would do anything, pay any price, just for a drink of cool fresh clear water. I looked down at the creek which if you use a lot of imagination and hold your nose you could pretend it met those qualifications. Just as I'm thinking about how bad it would be to drink the creek water I see something on the path just down a little way.
As I stare at it, I wonder if I'm hallucinating from the heat. It looks like a bottle of something. It wasn't there when I passed this way before. One of bikers must have had it unknowingly fall off their bike. Hmmmmm...what could it be? Now close enough I can see it is a bottle of Gatorade that is half full, or is half empty? At this point in my delusional state it really doesn't matter.
Each step, now slower than ever, I took got me closer to this wonder. Since my pace was that of a tortoise I had plenty of time to think about the pros and cons of picking it up and drinking it. Now, if you are reading this and thinking that I'm crazier than you really thought I was consider where you are. Chances are you are not out in 102 degrees heat with the sun beating down on you and your tongue feeling like sandpaper. You might be in a comfortable house, apartment or office building thinking there is no way she is being tempted by that used bottle of Gatorade, possibly with some strangers backwash in it, that has been laying on the dirty path. Well, guess again because I was very tempted.
I stopped, briefly wondered if I had the energy to make my legs go again, and stared down at that bottle. I had to remind myself that I don't even like Gatorade. Not even a little. I had to tell myself that it was probably 102 degrees which is why someone threw it down. Eventually, the only beat to the temptation of drinking it was to walk away, leaving it there. I didn't even trust myself to pick it up and put in the next trash can I saw. After a few steps I thought about turning around and just looking at the orange nectar one more time but decided I was better off keeping my eyes on the path in front of me.
Temptation. It comes in unexpected places and at unexpected times. It comes in different ways for different people under different circumstances. There is no, one size fits all when it comes to temptation. Recognize yours and realize, the temptation isn't the sin, it is acting on it that is. Consider running from it every time it comes to get you. I did, I just didn't have the strength so I walked away from it instead.
August 8, 2007
Weather report
So how hot was it yesterday? 100
How about today? 100
What is the temp supposed to be tomorrow? 100
And this weekend? 100
Morale of the story: If you can't stand the heat....stay out of Kansas!
How about today? 100
What is the temp supposed to be tomorrow? 100
And this weekend? 100
Morale of the story: If you can't stand the heat....stay out of Kansas!
August 5, 2007
Just a swingin'
I went for my walk today after church. I really don't know why. It was the hottest day yet but at least there was a breeze today. So many things to share. Actually I have to start with yesterday's walk. It was so fun (yes even in 95+ degrees weather). It was about 3 in the afternoon. I enjoyed it because the sun was out this time. It had been cloudy lately or if Gary is with me we have to walk on the shady trail. I just enjoyed soaking up the sun as I walked. Then I remembered that last week or so when I was walking with Gary I commented on how it seemed so quiet. Not that it is, it just seemed that way. I couldn't quite figure it out. I heard the cars on the highway and the birds and the VERY loud heat bugs (locusts, I think), and kids playing. But yesterday, I figured it out, it was the lack of wind that made it quiet. I didn't even know I missed it until I finally had it back. The wind makes the best sound as it rushes through the tall grasses on both sides of the bath. And the leaves in the trees sound like joyous applause.
So back to today. The nice thing about walking on days like this is that there is hardly anyone else out in the heat. I must be the only nut. Well....not really. There was this one guy walking the trail today that I wondered about. He had good walking shoes on but the rest of his attire made me wonder if there was a light on in the attic. He was only wearing a cowboy hat and short shorts (almost speedo looking). He did have ear buds in but there was no way anything was clipped to his shorts and so I'm thinking the ipod would have to have been tucked up under his hat. As we passed (going opposite directions) he said "hot enough for you?" I nodded and pretended he was normal.
Each time I walk I see something new (besides nuts). Yesterday it was this awesome turtle. Today it was a Praying Mantis. Now if you know me at all you know I'm not a bug person. Heat I can take, bugs...no way! But this is just the most amazing bug. I had to stop and just stare at it.
So after this short bug visit I was back on my walk. I went two miles and turned around for the two mile walk back. Gary did not go with today, although I'm sure he would have enjoyed the bug. He stayed at the playground to "shoot buckets". That means he shoots some basketball. It seems that in this area they don't say "shoot buckets" and somehow people think it has something to do with hitting golf balls. So now we say "play hoops". They know what that means. Gary is not a heat lover like me. I didn't know what I'd find when I got back. I figured he would be done long before I returned and expected to see him sitting in the shade somewhere.
As I walked up the path and got closer to the school yard, I had to look hard between trees to see if he is still there "playing hoops". I couldn't see him anywhere and so I walked toward the area where the picnic table that is in shade would be located. I saw it but no Gary. I started to worry that I would have to look for him passed out on the ground from heat exhaustion. I never expected to see him swinging on the swing. It was such a surprise that it made be smile from ear to ear. I don't think I ever remember seeing my husband playing on the swings, I know I've never seen playing on the swings by himself. Kelly and I used to do it all the time and so it was just the neatest picture that I will tuck away in the minds eye to recall when needed.
Oh yeah, I had my phone with me and so I did get three pictures of him too! As you walk wherever you are going in the next week be sure to look around you for something unusual or unexpected. You never know what you'll see.
So back to today. The nice thing about walking on days like this is that there is hardly anyone else out in the heat. I must be the only nut. Well....not really. There was this one guy walking the trail today that I wondered about. He had good walking shoes on but the rest of his attire made me wonder if there was a light on in the attic. He was only wearing a cowboy hat and short shorts (almost speedo looking). He did have ear buds in but there was no way anything was clipped to his shorts and so I'm thinking the ipod would have to have been tucked up under his hat. As we passed (going opposite directions) he said "hot enough for you?" I nodded and pretended he was normal.
Each time I walk I see something new (besides nuts). Yesterday it was this awesome turtle. Today it was a Praying Mantis. Now if you know me at all you know I'm not a bug person. Heat I can take, bugs...no way! But this is just the most amazing bug. I had to stop and just stare at it.
So after this short bug visit I was back on my walk. I went two miles and turned around for the two mile walk back. Gary did not go with today, although I'm sure he would have enjoyed the bug. He stayed at the playground to "shoot buckets". That means he shoots some basketball. It seems that in this area they don't say "shoot buckets" and somehow people think it has something to do with hitting golf balls. So now we say "play hoops". They know what that means. Gary is not a heat lover like me. I didn't know what I'd find when I got back. I figured he would be done long before I returned and expected to see him sitting in the shade somewhere.
As I walked up the path and got closer to the school yard, I had to look hard between trees to see if he is still there "playing hoops". I couldn't see him anywhere and so I walked toward the area where the picnic table that is in shade would be located. I saw it but no Gary. I started to worry that I would have to look for him passed out on the ground from heat exhaustion. I never expected to see him swinging on the swing. It was such a surprise that it made be smile from ear to ear. I don't think I ever remember seeing my husband playing on the swings, I know I've never seen playing on the swings by himself. Kelly and I used to do it all the time and so it was just the neatest picture that I will tuck away in the minds eye to recall when needed.
Oh yeah, I had my phone with me and so I did get three pictures of him too! As you walk wherever you are going in the next week be sure to look around you for something unusual or unexpected. You never know what you'll see.
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