Always Be Sweet

O.K. You're going to think I drive through my favorite coffee house every day, but that's not the case. It just seems to be a story worth telling every time I do go through...

Drive up, give my order to the speaker, pull to the window and the sweet girl takes my $ and proceeds to say...

"How's Avery?"

Not, "aren't you Avery's Mom?, or "I think I know your son", or any such introductory phrase...simply and confidently, "How's Avery?"

I was a little startled because my son, like my husband, is not a frequent visitor of the drive through coffee experience. And, if either son or husband are driving through, it's probably for me. So, the fact this girl, first, knows Avery, second, knows Avery belongs to me is just weird.

"He's good" I answer in a very non-committal way.

"Yeah..." she continues, "I remember his Dad used to come in our class and help with 'computer time'. Everybody wanted to have computer time with him because he was fun and nice."

"???"

"That was...ummmm...THIRD GRADE?!, right?" I asked thinking surely there was another time she was talking about...

"Yeah, it was fun. He was funny. And nice."

"He's still funny and nice." I answered, not really knowing how in the world this sweet little girl, now 20-21, remembers me, connected to Avery, through his Dad working in their classroom once a week in the third grade!

But, as I was driving away, it occurred to me that my advice to my family over and over, is very good advice. I constantly told my children to "make good choices and be sweet". In fact, they say it back to me now in a loving/mocking sort of way. But, really, you never know what an impact you might have. You never know who's watching you. Who needs you and the kindness you bring to the moment.

So, my blog friends...

Have a great day! Make good choices and be sweet!
Blessings

RENEW

We (College Church) have a Conference coming right around the corner we've titled "Renew". (February 19-21...John York, Randy Harris, great teachers! You should come!)

I love the idea of a renewal of ideas, thoughts, vows, commitment. It's always good to have a fresh, clean outlook.

Psalm 51:10 says:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me."

In my Bible, there is a "Prayer of Confession" that goes with the Psalm 51...I love this prayer.

I confess, Lord, with thanksgiving, that you have made me in your image so that I can remember you, think of you, and love you. But that image is so worn and blotted out by faults, and darkened by the smoke of sin, that it cannot do that for which it was made unless you renew and refashion it.

Lord, I am not trying to make my way to your height, for my understanding is in no way equal to that, but I do desire to understand a little of your truth, which my heart already believes and loves.

AMEN.
(Saint Anselm of Canterbury)

Beautiful.
May you feel the renewal of his love, his grace, his sacrifice today...right now.

Up . . . All . . . Night

Sunday Night was another famous "Lock-In" for the Youth Group led, for the time being, by my sweet husband.

I've mentioned before that he is as much a kid as any of the kids you've ever known, just with a little experience and wisdom under his belt.

His love and dedication for the students of this church is remarkable. He absolutely wants them to know they are loved and valued not just by him, but by the church family that meets here and most important, by the God who created them. He leads them with great respect for who they are and what they might be experiencing or feeling in their "tween" or "teen" minds.

My job during these all night lock-ins is to just be there for them. I cook a couple of meals, one when they arrive around 6:00 and another one about midnight. They have warm cookies and an iced mocha around 3:00 a.m. to rev up their energy for the last few hours, and then a little breakfast about 6:00 a.m. Parents arrive around 7:00 to pick up their very tired students.

I learned that I am no longer a kid. I'm not able to bounce back after staying up all night. I am an old woman.

I must say, though, the times with those students is precious. They are good people with generous hearts. I know I don't see and hear everything that goes on, and goodness knows I'm totally o.k. with that! However, these kids are sweet, and polite, and genuinely concerned for each other and the world around them.

I'm proud of my husband for the work he does with these students, but beyond that, I'm very proud of these young people as they make good decisions and strive to walk a Godly path.

If this is the future, we're in good hands!

Blessings. . .

What? Huh! What?

Let me see if I can tell this story in a clear and concise way...

(first, let me say, dear co-workers, feel free to exit my blog...you've already heard this story and even gave me the impression you were bored with it the first time through...so, please, feel free to exit NOW.)

I have a favorite drive through coffee spot. I love how friendly, helpful, generally chipper the workers are...in fact, I've actually e-mailed the manager just to tell them "good job".

Yesterday morning, I was driving through and placed my order as usual at the "speaker". Then pulled up to the window and this is the conversation that took place...

(Coffee Window Girl holding up a sample of their new Instant coffee): "Good Morning! It's like pushing drugs to school children."

(me) "Good morning...WHAT? HUH! WHAT?"

(Coffee Window Girl throwing herself down on counter and expressing in a sad tone): "I told them I wouldn't be good at this!"

(me, unclear of what she was saying): "No...it's not you...it's me, try again, I just didn't understand you...really, say your pitch again..."

(Coffee Window Girl straightening up to give it another try): "Like pushing drugs to school children."

(me, mouth open, squinting, shaking my head slowly...looking over at my husband in passenger seat feeling the car shake with his laughter as he says "DRIVE AWAY!" I look back to the girl and say): "I'm just not getting what you're trying to say. I'm sure it's me, not you. You're doing a good job, I'm just not understanding you."

(Coffee Window Girl): "I know. They told me that selling this new de-caf instant coffee would be as easy as pushing drugs to school children, but it's not. I'm just not good at this."

My head snaps to my husband who now has himself pressed so hard against the passenger seat back as to not let the little girl see the tears streaming down his face as he laughs uncontrollably...

So, some dummy of a manager or trainer or something of the sort told this sweet, fairly naive, maybe a little ditsy new coffee girl that selling this product to the public would be like "pushing drugs to school children". And she, in one of her less than intelligent moments, thought this was the "hook line" she needed to use to get us to purchase it?!

Really!?

(me): "uhhhmmmm...no. I don't want any. But thanks."

(Coffee Window Girl): O.K. Here's your coffee. You two have a beautiful Tuesday! It is Tuesday, isn't it?"

(me, driving away, still in shock over the whole exchange): "yes, it's Tuesday...all day."

Normal

Not exactly sure what "normal" is, but I believe today is a "back to normal" day.

Daughter has returned to ACU and son is back to his school and work routine.

I love the idea of the holidays, but what I really love, is being with people. Getting to take goodies to someone, having people over, thinking about a special gift that would make a person you love happy or excited.

However, when it comes to the decorations, I'm 100% scrooge. The only thing I like less than hauling out all the decorations is the thought of putting them all back when it's over. Fortunately, I have lovely people in my life who handle the "putting back" part for me.

Now, we're safely in the new year. If you read my friend Julie's blog, you will see she and I feel the same about resolutions. Who doesn't have a mile long list of things they could do better? I certainly do, and at times get caught up in all the ways I DON'T measure up instead of see the good in my life. So, resolutions can be tricky. However, there's always time to ponder on a thing or two. Examine, refresh, commit deeper.

I often have the same resolution. Get healthy, lose weight, exercise more (o.k. exercise period!...there's no "more" if you don't do it at all!)

But this year, my resolution is to spend sweet time with people. Those I love deeply as well as those I would like to know better. Carving out time for a cup of coffee, a prayer with a friend, a movie, a chat...this seems to escape me and proves difficult at times.

This is my fresh focus. It can only bring good things, don't you think?

Blessings

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I always LOVE the turning of the December to January calendar page.

It's full of possibilities. Some things are good...so you keep doing them. However, it's a time when we tend to look at what's not so good and try to adjust our lives, hearts, habits to reflect something we can be a bit more proud of.

My little family started what we believe might become a tradition in our family...New Year's Eve and a few days following at the BEACH!

We love the beach. Son gets to ride his crazy truck all over the dunes. He has worked so hard on building this thing, it's fun to watch him enjoy the benefits of his hard work. Daughter loves reading, crocheting, exploring the beach...

We all had a restful, relaxing time. We learned BUNCO while there and played with some friends who were also at the coast. At one point, two tables of people were laughing so hard we had to stop playing and just watch each other laugh! So funny...and healthy!

The Monarch butterflies come to "rest" for a couple of months at the coast. Daughter and I walked the butterfly trail and took some pictures of the area of our adventure. It's amazing. The one pic above looks like leaves hanging on a tree but are actually clusters of thousands of butterflies. It's beautiful to see in person...

I don't know about you all, but 2009 seemed long and difficult.

God was present and faithful...as always. But, I feel weary from it all and look forward to a new page for 2010.

I have great hopes for some positive changes and discoveries, however, I know that whatever each new day holds, God will be holding me close.

Blessings, friends! May you feel His presence in a mighty way!