Out of Character

Me, and 10,000 other people from the Central Valley stood in line for about 6 hours to audition for the game show "Deal or No Deal"!

To some of you, that is no big "DEAL"!

However, for those of you who know my personality, you know it was a step out of my "comfort zone".

First, to stand in a very long line (6 hours...did I mention I stood for 6 hours?) with 10,000 people crammed in a "bingo room" of a casino is very unlike me. About 4 hours into it, I finally told Lex, "can you imagine the germs in this room?"

Then, when you finally reach the front of the line, you and 10 other people go to a table with one interviewer and have 30 seconds to "WOW" them with your over-the-top-bubbly personality.

O.k..that's a problem...I don't want to look stupid, however, they assured us that unless you bring your silliest goofiest bubbliest self to the table, they won't remember you. So, I will say I more bubbly than I'm comfortable with.

Then, after your time is up, they say, "o.k., thank you very much. We have your contact info." And you leave.

I probably won't get chosen. I know some people had "call backs" the next day, to which I would have had to say..."sorry, I'll be leading worship. Can you make it in the afternoon?"

They did tell us that they keep the papers and call people as long as a year later.

You never know.

The best part was getting 6 hours with my husband...just the two of us...oh, and 9,998 other people.

Blessings!

Out of Character

I am officially declaring this weekend to be "do something out of character" weekend!

Saturday morning , I'm doing something TOTALLY out of character. It's so very out of character I can't bring myself to tell you what it is....YET! However, because I am a bit silly with excitement and anticipation, I had to at least tell you this much!

I promise to tell you all what I attempted sometime next week. I think. Maybe. (and you will all probably say "so what was the big deal about that?!")

However, until then, imagine good things for me, please.

And...do something different! Out of character!

C'mon! It'll be fun!

Faith...

My conclusion regarding the subject of faith is that each day is an opportunity to watch it grow or shrink, depending on how we act or react to various situations.

I'm sure you have all had days, or weeks, or maybe even years when you felt your faith was being tested. You wondered if God was paying any attention at all to you...had he forgotten you?

But for the most part, our days are average regular days that have tiny, hidden opportunity in them.

I want to encourage you to look at the small stuff. Examine the way you speak to your spouse, your child, your co-worker. Do something out of the ordinary...just because you want to show your love. Live in a positive bubble instead of leaning toward the "doubting Thomas" that lurks in each of us.

Read this and know it's power...
"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I don't know if you needed to hear that today...but I did.
Blessings!

The Purse

Daughter called last week to tell me she couldn't find her purse.

Of course, the first assumption is that it was left somewhere in all the excitement and just hasn't been retrieved. I think, though, she already knew the sad sort of affair this was, but didn't want to break it to me quite yet.

So, as I asked questions, where did you leave it?, what exactly was in your purse?, are you sure it wasn't just misplaced?, and so on...she patiently (for the most part) answered all my questions.

This purse was new, the wallet was a treasure she had saved her money for, the sunglasses were a "designer-too-expensive" purchase. Her phone, her license, her Walmart card (you don't leave home in Texas without it!), her ATM/Debit card, her truck keys, her house keys, and all her cash. Oh...and, her original birth certificate and social security card! Are you kidding me? Really? Yup. It's all gone.

So, after feeling my heart pound wildly, her brother and I went on a site that "locks" your identity just in case the little twit that stole the purse is smart enough to figure out how to steal her life, too. We suspended her phone so they can't make any calls to their friends across the ocean, and we've cancelled the ATM card and ordered her a new one.

The license was a challenge...you see, you have to be present to get a new license. Present in the state that you originally were issued that license. And, of course, you can't drive without one, but you live off campus and your school and work are on campus. What do you do?

Well, you are issued a "paper" license that you can only use out of state. As soon as we cross the California border with her, she can't drive until she gets her new one issued. Carrying a copy of the police report might bring you some grace, but let's not chance it.

There is something very "icky" about having your things taken. It feels like someone got in your personal space. She's had a tough week. Trying to be a sweet representative of the school for "Welcome Week", all the while wondering who was ugly enough to steal from you. (Another girl lost her purse at the same time)

I would ask you all simply pray for a sustaining measure of grace and peace for her as she deals with this little inconvenience, and gets on with the real task at hand...her Junior year.

After all, it was just "stuff"!

Blessings!

Home

I tried posting while in Texas, but the ACU wireless wouldn't allow it.

So, all my words will remain unposted.

I flew home yesterday and arrived safely and without any difficulty at all.

I don't know how many times it will take before I won't mind leaving my girl behind. I will say this time was better than the last, and the last was better than the first. So, maybe, eventually, it won't be as sad for me.

She is fine. Actually, she is wonderful. People were glad to see her. It was nice to be the mom off to the side while folks from her church welcomed her back with such love and enthusiasm on Sunday. It's beautiful to see your child forming relationships that have nothing to do with you or her dad.

So, aside from a little crack in my heart, everything is good and back to normal.

Blessings.

AMAZING!

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I'm not sure how to explain the amazing storm I just witnessed...

Driving on I-40 Ashley and I noticed how different the sky looked off to the side and in front of us.  What we also noticed, was that the highway was curving right into it.  The rainbow was actually in front of the storm this time.

It started raining hard, suddenly.  I'm still feeling fairly confident.  Then, I notice the truck drivers are all pulling off and putting on hazard lights.  Hmmm...

I realize I literally cannot see the front of my truck because of the massive amounts of water coming from the sky...so I, taking my cue from the truck drivers, pull off onto the shoulder.  

We proceed to shake with the massive wind, and jiggle every time the thunder explodes.  Our eyes are blinded with the brightest and biggest lightening bolts I've ever seen, and then the hail starts pounding our truck.

I called my husband just so he could hear it.  Then, calling another friend their advice to us was "stay in the truck".    REALLY??!!  Cause I was thinking of getting out and taking a stroll!  

It was absolutely the most powerful rain I've ever been through.  

As we finally creeped our way back onto the highway, we saw that the black clouds were continuing ahead of us, so we decided that the city 30 miles away was the place we would stay the night.  Tucked in safe and sound, we will finish our journey tomorrow.

Blessings!

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Did you know that you can be in Kingman, Arizona where the temp is about 100 degrees and the sun is shining bright enough to burn your pale little body in an instant?  And within 10 miles, be right smack dab in the middle of a super powerful electrical storm with rain and wind pushing your truck around and drops as big as golf balls and clouds every shade of gray/black?

But, if you hang in there long enough, and drive very carefully, you will come through it and see a most beautiful double rainbow!

Kind of like life, sometimes, isn't it?

On my way to Texas with my girl for another school year.  

Blessings!

The Beach, The Shack

Went to the beach for a few days.

Read "The Shack".

I must say I'm not a typical "joiner". If everybody else is doing it, I feel like the train has left the station and I don't want to hop on. (go ahead and analyze that if you must, but I'm just being honest with you).

But something, actually, someone I respect and love deeply told me about her experience with the book. I purchased it the night before we left for the sand and spent most of my time reading it while there.

My family was a little baffled and worried at my gasps, and "hhmmm's" and tears. Lots of tears.

Ashley finally asked, "Mom, are you enjoying reading that book?"

All I could say very quietly was "Oh, yes, honey. It's beautiful. Just beautiful."

So, I hope if there are other "non-joiners" like me out there who haven't found a copy of the book for themselves yet, you'll get one soon.

It's beautiful. Just beautiful.