And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
--Kahlil Gibran--
Of course, I have no idea who Kahlil Gibran is/was, this was just on the e-card my mom sent me. I love my mommy.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
To: Erika Lee
Of course, I have no idea who Kahlil Gibran is/was, this was just on the e-card my mom sent me. I love my mommy.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Update
From the "truth is stranger than fiction" category:
My brother is home safe from Iraq. Now he gets to clean up the mess that has been waiting for him. Seems his wife (who may not actually be his wife at all because she may not legally be divorced from one or more of her previous 3 husbands of whom my brother knew only of 1) went off her rocker (if she was ever on to begin with). Not that I can really judge her as I've never met her and know only that which my brother relays to us.
The woman did give away my brother's dog, which is unforgivable. You can do a lot of things to a man, but never mess with a man's dog. That's just wrong...especially when it is a Weimaraner he's had since it was a pup.
My brother is doing well. He got a new puppy, this one is a bloodhound.
My brother is home safe from Iraq. Now he gets to clean up the mess that has been waiting for him. Seems his wife (who may not actually be his wife at all because she may not legally be divorced from one or more of her previous 3 husbands of whom my brother knew only of 1) went off her rocker (if she was ever on to begin with). Not that I can really judge her as I've never met her and know only that which my brother relays to us.
The woman did give away my brother's dog, which is unforgivable. You can do a lot of things to a man, but never mess with a man's dog. That's just wrong...especially when it is a Weimaraner he's had since it was a pup.
My brother is doing well. He got a new puppy, this one is a bloodhound.
Friday, July 16, 2004
Yes...maybe...I think.
It seems I live in a state of constant confusion.
Nothing is ever really finished, or started for that matter. The more I try to figure out what is going on, the less I ever understand.
Randomness, utter randomness.
Notice these things are only a problem when I try to sort things out on my own. Probably a great way of keeping my pride in check...imagine what I would be like if I wasn't faking and really did know what was going on half the time.
Nice to know that God has things under control and that they do make sense in some round about way. Eclectic is good.
Nothing is ever really finished, or started for that matter. The more I try to figure out what is going on, the less I ever understand.
Randomness, utter randomness.
Notice these things are only a problem when I try to sort things out on my own. Probably a great way of keeping my pride in check...imagine what I would be like if I wasn't faking and really did know what was going on half the time.
Nice to know that God has things under control and that they do make sense in some round about way. Eclectic is good.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Pulling together (aka: I should teach my kids this story.)
I spent and hour watching ants Saturday night. Actually, that wasn't the main focus of my time...we were talking to "Sly." He befriended our group last Tuesday, I think, and has been around a few times since then. He's had marital problems and is now (from what he says) living in a van a few blocks away. He is always so glad to run into us, especially his "buddies" (the guys in our group) and, while he has been intoxicated each time we've met, it is amazing to know that God is working in his life.
So back to these ants...while we were talking with Sly I noticed a group of ants on the porch trying their hardest to deal with a piece of a potato chip. I thought, as I watched those ants, what a great model that is for fellowship, for the Christian body, especially for the situation we are in with Sly. (I was thinking about a lot more but there is such a thing as too personal to blog...)
Anyway, back to the analogy. Now I know it is probably elementary and I know that the comparison has to have been made again and again...but bear with me.
When I started watching the ants there was one ant tugging at the chip. He would pull for a while, stop to check things out, and then get back to work. He really wasn't making much progress. But then another ant came over, and another, and soon enough there were quite a few working to get the chip into the hole. They got it there in no time.
Great, so working together, supporting each other we can bear our burdens more easily. We can pull through when it seems hopeless. We can encourage each other to accomplish that which is set before them.
That's not where the ants stopped, though. The next problem was getting it into the hole. The chip was far too big to fit. The only way to move on was to break the chip into smaller pieces and deal with one bit at a time.
Things seem so overwhelming to us that we feel there is nothing more to be done. What we need to do is break the problem into more manageable chunks.
Right, so that's the ants. It's simple, and maybe even pointless, but I love the way things work in God's kingdom. I love that so many things are mirrored in the world around us.
Like how trees reaffirm my faith. When you look at something so massive as an oak, especially when you know how it works, what it takes for that tree to survive even a day, you know it is too perfect to happen by chance.
Wait, tangent, sorry. I know it's simple, I know it's childish but when you've been working with 7 year-olds for a week, simple = good.
So back to these ants...while we were talking with Sly I noticed a group of ants on the porch trying their hardest to deal with a piece of a potato chip. I thought, as I watched those ants, what a great model that is for fellowship, for the Christian body, especially for the situation we are in with Sly. (I was thinking about a lot more but there is such a thing as too personal to blog...)
Anyway, back to the analogy. Now I know it is probably elementary and I know that the comparison has to have been made again and again...but bear with me.
When I started watching the ants there was one ant tugging at the chip. He would pull for a while, stop to check things out, and then get back to work. He really wasn't making much progress. But then another ant came over, and another, and soon enough there were quite a few working to get the chip into the hole. They got it there in no time.
Great, so working together, supporting each other we can bear our burdens more easily. We can pull through when it seems hopeless. We can encourage each other to accomplish that which is set before them.
That's not where the ants stopped, though. The next problem was getting it into the hole. The chip was far too big to fit. The only way to move on was to break the chip into smaller pieces and deal with one bit at a time.
Things seem so overwhelming to us that we feel there is nothing more to be done. What we need to do is break the problem into more manageable chunks.
Right, so that's the ants. It's simple, and maybe even pointless, but I love the way things work in God's kingdom. I love that so many things are mirrored in the world around us.
Like how trees reaffirm my faith. When you look at something so massive as an oak, especially when you know how it works, what it takes for that tree to survive even a day, you know it is too perfect to happen by chance.
Wait, tangent, sorry. I know it's simple, I know it's childish but when you've been working with 7 year-olds for a week, simple = good.
And the heavens were opened.
All day long we've been fighting the floodwaters here at FDCS. It's been raining the whole day long; canceling some people's morning run as well as (yikes) our Monday trip to the pool.
The basement classrooms have also flooded and the flood is creeping through the halls and into the very office from which I write. The door has been sufficiently barricaded, I think, to prevent far greater catastrophe--we all know just how well water and electronics mix.
Ask any parent or teacher and they will tell you that a child's behavior is often directly correlated to current weather conditions. Today was no exception. I was, however, able to harness the opportunity, take full advantage of the downpour, and teach my kids the Water-Cycle song and dance.
They think I'm crazy.
I'm ok with that.
The basement classrooms have also flooded and the flood is creeping through the halls and into the very office from which I write. The door has been sufficiently barricaded, I think, to prevent far greater catastrophe--we all know just how well water and electronics mix.
Ask any parent or teacher and they will tell you that a child's behavior is often directly correlated to current weather conditions. Today was no exception. I was, however, able to harness the opportunity, take full advantage of the downpour, and teach my kids the Water-Cycle song and dance.
They think I'm crazy.
I'm ok with that.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Today's post brought to you by:
the words boldness and sincerity.
They've been sticking out to me lately, those two words. They come to mind at random times, they are sometimes all I hear in a conversation. (Those and patience and frustration, but for five entirely different reasons.)
Anyway, there has to be some grand correlation between the two. I'm thinking both are essential for effective ministry.
More to come.
They've been sticking out to me lately, those two words. They come to mind at random times, they are sometimes all I hear in a conversation. (Those and patience and frustration, but for five entirely different reasons.)
Anyway, there has to be some grand correlation between the two. I'm thinking both are essential for effective ministry.
More to come.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Me and the boys
I'm still not quite sure what to think about what I wrote yesterday. It is true, but...I just don't want it to come across that everything is just peachy keen, not to say that it isn't because it is, I just...ok, I give up trying to figure it out. Something just isn't sitting right with me, probably more of a semantic rather than substantive issue.
Forgive me, my brain has already strayed from the ways of big people talk. I find that I'm having to correct myself and speak in complete sentences with at least some hint of a varied vocabulary.
For the past couple of days my class has consisted of five boys: three going into first grade and two into second. These boys are going to wear me out, but I do love them. One of them told me yesterday that Cocoa Puffs and Reese's Puffs were brothers. This is the same one who is determined that everybody is somebody's cousin. Ok, so that may be...but what he comes up with is beyond me.
My attention span must be shortening as well, I've forgotten what all I wanted to write. Next you know my speling is going to slip.
Forgive me, my brain has already strayed from the ways of big people talk. I find that I'm having to correct myself and speak in complete sentences with at least some hint of a varied vocabulary.
For the past couple of days my class has consisted of five boys: three going into first grade and two into second. These boys are going to wear me out, but I do love them. One of them told me yesterday that Cocoa Puffs and Reese's Puffs were brothers. This is the same one who is determined that everybody is somebody's cousin. Ok, so that may be...but what he comes up with is beyond me.
My attention span must be shortening as well, I've forgotten what all I wanted to write. Next you know my speling is going to slip.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
By this they shall know.
There is this great song that goes: "I love to be in Your presence, with Your people, singing praises." I may have used it before, but it truly is one of my favorite songs mostly because it is absolutely true. My favorite places are in God's presence and with His people.
I love His people. Sure we have our moments, but there is that dynamic when you are among people who are truly seeking God, truly following after Him. It's like that X factor that Keegan talks about.
It is amazing, that we each other. Only His love, grace, wisdom would bring such mixes together. Take the summer intern group here in Chester--there are personalities, characteristics, idiosyncrasies that in any other group would have already led to discussion, conflict, and battle. True for many a group of Christians living and working together. But that we, bound and unified by His very blood, can look past so much and love through all so long as we hold this Truth..it is testimony in itself to His wonder and might. By this they shall know.
I love His people. Sure we have our moments, but there is that dynamic when you are among people who are truly seeking God, truly following after Him. It's like that X factor that Keegan talks about.
It is amazing, that we each other. Only His love, grace, wisdom would bring such mixes together. Take the summer intern group here in Chester--there are personalities, characteristics, idiosyncrasies that in any other group would have already led to discussion, conflict, and battle. True for many a group of Christians living and working together. But that we, bound and unified by His very blood, can look past so much and love through all so long as we hold this Truth..it is testimony in itself to His wonder and might. By this they shall know.
Monday, June 28, 2004
All packed up..
and ready to go. That's right. I'm off to Chester for the rest of the summer. Or just about all of it. I come home in August, have a week here, then turn around and move back up to Tech. My oh my.
As always, prayers would be wonderful. Pray for the ministry, the children, our sanity...
As always, prayers would be wonderful. Pray for the ministry, the children, our sanity...
Saturday, June 26, 2004
I say it's an art.
I have this uncanny ability to make a mess out of just about any situation.
Latest example: I bought a wireless card and router for my laptop, they had some amazing rebates with them. Two of the rebates asked for copies of the UPCs, two asked for the originals. So yesterday I made copies. I even made extra copies so I would still have some on hand in case I ever needed them. Yep, lots of copies. No originals. Left them in the copier at CopyMax. Didn't realize it until I went to bed last night.
Oh yeah, I am that good.
Latest example: I bought a wireless card and router for my laptop, they had some amazing rebates with them. Two of the rebates asked for copies of the UPCs, two asked for the originals. So yesterday I made copies. I even made extra copies so I would still have some on hand in case I ever needed them. Yep, lots of copies. No originals. Left them in the copier at CopyMax. Didn't realize it until I went to bed last night.
Oh yeah, I am that good.
Post 100.
Yep, this is the 100th post on this site (or so my counter tells me) and you would think there would be something special--maybe a "What I've learned thus far" post or something of the like--but, no.
Well, as I said, I've gotten a cell phone. As cool as it is, it is also a bit sad. See, not having a cell phone had been a matter of pride. I was holding out, not giving in to the mass communication frenzy. Oh well, next thing you know, I'll be walking around with one of these.
*shudder*
May it never be.
On the up-side of recent purchases, I found a whole bunch of DVDs for $0.99. I say His Girl Friday, The Inspector General, Road to Bali, and At War with the Army are great ways to start a DVD collection.
Well, as I said, I've gotten a cell phone. As cool as it is, it is also a bit sad. See, not having a cell phone had been a matter of pride. I was holding out, not giving in to the mass communication frenzy. Oh well, next thing you know, I'll be walking around with one of these.
*shudder*
May it never be.
On the up-side of recent purchases, I found a whole bunch of DVDs for $0.99. I say His Girl Friday, The Inspector General, Road to Bali, and At War with the Army are great ways to start a DVD collection.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Just a phrase or two.
There are some lyrics that I just can't get out of my head.
"I am a soldier, trying to be one"
"And my eyes they look unto You always, and I am captured by Your majesty"
"Given a chance and a rock, see which one breaks a window; and see which one keeps me up all night and into the day."
"I am a soldier, trying to be one"
"And my eyes they look unto You always, and I am captured by Your majesty"
"Given a chance and a rock, see which one breaks a window; and see which one keeps me up all night and into the day."
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Just because it's been a while.
|
Well, most of the stuff I've written is blank verse, or free verse, or some combination of the two. Not that it's that good or anything, or that I'll be subjecting you to any of it.
Grate Expectations
All the shopping I've been doing for my apartment has been very exciting. I'm getting all sorts of wonderful things, most of which are for my kitchen. (Well, not "my" kitchen, I will have a roommate.)
The hardest part of it all has been determining what I really need and what can wait. Example: I need a deep-dish pie plate, the 8 quart pot I want can wait. If you really think about it, I could probably get by with much less. I could probably manage with just a microwave, that's all I had last year and I made it through just fine. But I'm a girl. And I like to cook. So there.
The most exciting things I've gotten by far have been my canister set, my food/rice steamer, and my Rubbermaid Fold-Away(tm)grater, which is just totally awesome...I mean, it folds! How cool is that?
I don't really have that much left on my list of things I need. I still need a set of pans, a desk and chair, a dresser, a bookcase, a barstool...Ok, so maybe I need a bit more than I thought, but I've got a while before moving in, so I'm good, really.
The hardest part of it all has been determining what I really need and what can wait. Example: I need a deep-dish pie plate, the 8 quart pot I want can wait. If you really think about it, I could probably get by with much less. I could probably manage with just a microwave, that's all I had last year and I made it through just fine. But I'm a girl. And I like to cook. So there.
The most exciting things I've gotten by far have been my canister set, my food/rice steamer, and my Rubbermaid Fold-Away(tm)grater, which is just totally awesome...I mean, it folds! How cool is that?
I don't really have that much left on my list of things I need. I still need a set of pans, a desk and chair, a dresser, a bookcase, a barstool...Ok, so maybe I need a bit more than I thought, but I've got a while before moving in, so I'm good, really.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Grin and bear it.
I had a dental appointment this week where they "found" a pit in the side of one of my molars that I've had since as long as I can remember. It's not a cavity, it's just the way my tooth formed. Like I said, it's always been there, but now my dentist has decided to do something about it. They couldn't have fixed any other time, no, they had to wait until scheduling was tight for me (as I'll only be in town another week).
I have a feeling it's just because this time I had a new hygenist, who turned out to be one of the best I've ever had. She wasn't the first new person to ever work on my teeth. From moving and insurance changes, I have had so many dentists in my life I can't even number them. There have been at least 4 since I've lived in Virginia (and three of them are all at the same office). It's not the dentist that bothers me though, it's the hygenists. They cause the most damage. They're the ones that are in charge of the actual polishing. I hate that thing; the polisher thing that they put that toothgrit on. Give me the drill any day, that I don't mind, but the polisher...ugh.
I know, it's weird. But this comes from the same person who doesn't mind needles but hates getting prepped for the shot.
In other recent events, I've been copying down all of my favorite recipes and ran across a few of Grandma's "specialties." You gotta love a recipe that calls for a whole jar of Cheese Whiz.
I have a feeling it's just because this time I had a new hygenist, who turned out to be one of the best I've ever had. She wasn't the first new person to ever work on my teeth. From moving and insurance changes, I have had so many dentists in my life I can't even number them. There have been at least 4 since I've lived in Virginia (and three of them are all at the same office). It's not the dentist that bothers me though, it's the hygenists. They cause the most damage. They're the ones that are in charge of the actual polishing. I hate that thing; the polisher thing that they put that toothgrit on. Give me the drill any day, that I don't mind, but the polisher...ugh.
I know, it's weird. But this comes from the same person who doesn't mind needles but hates getting prepped for the shot.
In other recent events, I've been copying down all of my favorite recipes and ran across a few of Grandma's "specialties." You gotta love a recipe that calls for a whole jar of Cheese Whiz.
Friday, June 18, 2004
Ok, I'm rather proud of this one.
Chinese Restaurant Menu: "Williamsburg's Famouse All-You-Can-Eat Buffet"
My mom: You would think the printers would have caught that.
Me: Maybe their Engrish isn't too great either.
My mom: You would think the printers would have caught that.
Me: Maybe their Engrish isn't too great either.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Well, that's one thing done.
I got my hair cut today. I only took off seven inches, so it's still not what most people would consider short, but it's enough of a change for me. My hair had gotten long enough that it was past my waistline, long enough that my hairdresser had to have me stand so she could reach to cut, long enough that I could say it was only seven inches.
But this isn't about hair (or haircuts), it's that I actually did something. I have been pretty non-productive since I've been home which, in a way, is wonderful. But I have done more these past three days--since my mom has been home--than I've done the entire month I've been here. I can't get away with being lazy, which is good.
I've noticed that I have the bad habit of taking on too many things at once. Actually, I don't take on multiple things at the same time...I start one thing and then, before I finish, I start another, and another, and another....so nothing ever really gets done (kind of like this sentence). Take books for example, right now I am reading four different books. (I have a feeling that the number is actually higher but there are some books that I haven't touched in such a long time that I've forgotten I was reading them.) Crafts too: I've got two scarves, a sampler, and a set of lamps that I'm working on. I have lists and lists of lists of things that are "in progress" so when I manage to finish something it's a pleasant surprise.
I have started change things. I set three of the four books aside to concentrate on one (Sinclair Lewis' Babbitt). I'm working on one scarf. I'm getting myself to focus on one thing at a time. I have a problem with finishing things, but I'm working on it.
But this isn't about hair (or haircuts), it's that I actually did something. I have been pretty non-productive since I've been home which, in a way, is wonderful. But I have done more these past three days--since my mom has been home--than I've done the entire month I've been here. I can't get away with being lazy, which is good.
I've noticed that I have the bad habit of taking on too many things at once. Actually, I don't take on multiple things at the same time...I start one thing and then, before I finish, I start another, and another, and another....so nothing ever really gets done (kind of like this sentence). Take books for example, right now I am reading four different books. (I have a feeling that the number is actually higher but there are some books that I haven't touched in such a long time that I've forgotten I was reading them.) Crafts too: I've got two scarves, a sampler, and a set of lamps that I'm working on. I have lists and lists of lists of things that are "in progress" so when I manage to finish something it's a pleasant surprise.
I have started change things. I set three of the four books aside to concentrate on one (Sinclair Lewis' Babbitt). I'm working on one scarf. I'm getting myself to focus on one thing at a time. I have a problem with finishing things, but I'm working on it.
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