Hamster Wheel Gone Wrong

Don't you feel like this poor little hamster sometimes? Playing this makes me laugh out loud...maybe I'm just twisted. Enjoy!

The Conversation

So...the conversation with my daughter went something like this...

"Oh, Mom, the football game was a blast! We won. We are 3 - 0 now."

"That's great, honey. I'm glad you're having so much fun along with working so hard. I'm proud of you."

"Mom, did you know that in Texas you can ride in the bed of a pick-up as long as you don't go over 60 mph?"

"Ashley, there are reasons California passed the law that makes it illegal to ride in the back of a pick up. If you stop suddenly or get thrown out, you won't be in very good shape...if any shape at all."

"After the football game we were so excited we went to 'What-A-Burger'. They said it was like In 'N Out, but it wasn't. It was good though. And then, we were still all hyper from having fun, we went Rattlesnake Hunting!"

"You did what!?"

"Rattlesnake Hunting! It was a blast. The rattlesnakes like the heat from the car/tires and so they come to the truck...or something like that. My friend had his shotgun to kill it and a hatchet to take the rattle. I guess he collects them."

"O.K. So much to comment on here...let's start with the shotgun. Was this riding in the back of that truck with you, also? And let's just say you hit a bump or something...what if it goes off?"

"Oh, Mom...(she said giggling), it wasn't loaded and he had the safety on it! And besides, we didn't even see any rattlesnakes. But when we came to the end of the road, there was this house with two old guys sitting on the porch with shotguns sitting across their laps! Isn't that hysterical!? It looked just like the movies!"

(by now, I was hyperventilating!...quietly...didn't want her to stop talking.)

My usual ending to our conversations is..."I Love You, and I'm so proud of you." Today I choked out the words,

"Well, honey, you've certainly given me lots to worry about!"

"I love you, Mom. Talk to you later."

Oh my...

Just Hangin' Round

This summer, I was feeling rather lousy. Spent literally months trying to feel good again. Had to cut back on my activity because I simply couldn't do everything I had been doing. So, one of the things to be cut from my schedule was Wednesday night rehearsal for the Worship Team.

I still felt that this was valuable, maybe even necessary, time together. It not only gets you technically ready for Sunday morning, but it allows you to see ahead what will be happening so you can "soak" in it for a few days. Rest in it. Struggle with it.

I always encouraged our folks to pray for what will be happening. Pray for their part in it.

But, I didn't have that much energy, so I let it go for the summer and we started meeting about 15 minutes earlier on Sunday morning.

Technically, it works. But I have missed the time together.

One of the "drawbacks" of the Wed night time was that not everybody could make it. Some teach Pioneer Club on Wed night, some work late, some work out of town during the week, some coach football/baseball/soccer which brings them home too late. So, there were those of us who always made it, and those who rarely did. Sometimes, that could be discouraging.

Yesterday afternoon, I told Lex that I was going to go to church because I just wanted to be there to see what was happening. (even though I didn't have a specific "job")

He joined me.

There were a couple of teachers ill, so one person asked Lex if he would help him teach. Lex loved it. Tired? Yes. But loved it still.

I ended up in conversation with 2 different people throughout the night that I wouldn't have talked to otherwise. I learned lots. They shared lots.

I guess we could have stayed home and watched Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. (we are becoming old people). But it was so good to be together with others who love God like we do. I've wondered sometimes, if I weren't "employed" by the church, would I do as much? Would I go as often? Would I feel obligation to the body?

I hope so.

Fellowship...it's good for the body!

The New Normal...Again

It's hard to get used to the "new normal", as I have written in recent posts, when the "new normal" keeps changing!

I picked up my sweet Avery from school on Monday and we headed to the Clovis DMV. He had all his paper work, his appointment, and his nerve.

I watched a couple of the DMV employee's who administer the driving test...in my mind I was thinking, "Oh please dear God, don't let him get that guy!"

AVERY HENDERSON "that guy" bellowed...O.K., God, if he has to get that guy, just give him an extra dose of calm as he takes his test.

I sat in the parents area as person after person came and went through the driving test. Some passed, most failed. YIKES! The saddest for me was an elderly gentleman who didn't pass. The employee was very short with him, not much compassion. Do they know what they've done to this guy? (dressed in nice slacks, a dress shirt, and tie, by the way) I wonder if somehow, in the inevitable moments of life -- like losing your license because you simply are too old to drive safely any longer -- if we can show some love and compassion in the process. It appears, at the DMV, that isn't possible.

I sat a while longer...every time the door opened my head snapped to look. No Avery. A couple of girls came in obviously disgusted with the whole process. Irritated...one crying. I had a magazine that I kept looking down at pretending to read. I read the same paragraph for about 30 minutes and then finally, he came in the door with "Mr. DMV Grumpy-Pants". I kept looking at his face, trying to figure out if he had passed or failed...then he finally looked over at me and gave me the sweetest smile and nodded. I squealed under my breath and looked immediately back down at my magazine because I felt the tears come quickly.

Good Grief! Crying over this too? I guess so. Another snip of the apron strings. Another finger pried loose from the grip of my son...my baby.

So, the picture you see at the top is a very happy Senior driving himself to school on Tuesday morning.

Congratulations, Avery! You passed in spite of Mr. DMV Grumpy-Pants!

Blogger Blues...

I don't remember doing anything that would prevent people from commenting on my blog...but somehow, even with a change of template, I can't get the icon for comments up.

So, if there are any out there with a suggestion, I would say leave me a comment, but you can't! So, I'll have to hope you have my email address and you can email me and give me instructions on how to fix this!

Sorry...

O.K....NEVER MIND. When I posted this new post, the comment section appeared. Goodness! It's enough to make a girl doubt herself!

September 11...5 years later

Some things are just too big to wrap your mind around.

You can't comprehend and fully digest the scope or magnitude of an event...even 5 years later.

We've all had individual moments in our lives that have made us gasp for air and feel like we may not make it through...

But this was a nation wide gasp...

I remember watching it all unfold on the Today Show...

I remember turning it off at one point in the day because I couldn't handle it any longer, just to turn around moments later and watch again because there were still so many unanswered questions.

Today, I was watching an interview of our President by Matt Lauer. This is not a political statement...it doesn't matter what I think about politics, taxes, the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, health care, and so on and so on.

What I heard on the news today calmed my spirit.

The President is briefed every day except Sunday, according to him, on continuing threats to the U.S. Matt Lauer talked to him about being a father and husband in New York...how a day doesn't go by but what he thinks about terrorist attacks and how is he going to keep his kids safe.

Matt said that with the burden of the knowledge that he (the President) is given every day, how does he sleep?

The President said quickly, two things help him sleep...

First, he believes and trusts in Almighty God and second, he trusts all the people around him.

I was glad he didn't take a direction of God loving the United States and we will triumph and junk like that...because God is God. We all know that...we know that each and every soul is important to God - regardless of where it resides.

But I loved the resolve in his voice. It gave me strength because it reminded me that whatever happens, I trust Almighty God. And as difficult and horrific as things seem, I have a rock to stand on.

Thank you, Mr. President.

My Favorite Part of the Day

When I say this is my "favorite part of the day", understand that there are other moments, often, that rival this. However, for many reasons, I think this still rates #1 for me.

I love my kids. I love my job. I love my friends. So, anything that has to do with those things, is a wonderful moment.

About 6 months ago, my husband and I were looking around trying to figure out how to make the money last 'till the end of the month. It seemed whatever we did, we just weren't "making it" every month. With a daughter getting ready to head to College and a son entering his Senior year of High School...gas prices, electric prices, food prices all getting higher and higher, we saw no relief.

Finally, I suggested we turn it all over to God. Every night, Lex goes in and prays with his children. It's something that has melted my heart every time it happens. It's a time of chatting, physical touch, and spiritual renewal for everybody involved. It's precious.

But, Lex and I have never been consistent, in fact, we've been horrible about praying together.

So, when all else failed, when nothing else worked, when we were at the end of our rope, we decided to pray together. What can it hurt?

Aren't we silly? Within moments, things felt better. Even when we didn't have definite answers, we felt better. There was truly a peace that passed all understanding.

So, my favorite part of the day is before the sun even comes up, when my husband, dressed in his PG&E cap and t-shirt, kneels beside me, removes his cap, holds my hand, and prays.

I love it.