This weekend The Husband and I decided to go on a date together and we tried a new restaurant. It was small and quaint. The owner welcomed us and sat us down with a simple typed menu. I figured "What the heck?" and ordered onion rings and chocolate cake as my meal! The waitress was confused and kept asking me what I wanted to eat for dinner. She actually copped a bit of an attitude and could be heard arguing with the owner, as well as the cook in the kitchen!
Our food came out pretty quickly and we actually invited the owner to sit down and eat with us. That caused a little bit of confusion, but it was fun! The owner was a riot! She told us we were sitting next to her eye doctor. We stopped laughing long enough to notice there was a hair in my food! When I showed it to the owner she said not to worry, it would be no charge. I thought she was referring to my meal, however, she clarified by saying I still had to pay for my meal, but the hair was free!
Oh my word!
In reality, the owner was #3, the waitress was #1 and our cook was #2! And, of course, the eye doctor was The Dog (I think #3 was trying to remember "seeing eye dog")! Our dining room consisted of our "living/family room" and we dined on play food on the coffee table. It was a relaxing day filled with lots of laughter!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
In Case You Were Wondering
A few days ago I posted here about some trouble #1 was having with a girl at school. And, some of you asked how the meeting went, so I thought I'd fill you in! This was what the guidance counselor emailed me after their meeting:
Hi! I think the meeting went very well. #1 certainly handled herself well and was assertive with the girl but very respectful. Please let me know if the situation doesn’t improve.
Since then, we've been praying about the situation and for this to be a turning part in this girl's life. #1 wasn't sure how this whole meeting would shake out because the girl got upset and defensive then wouldn't talk to her the rest of the that day. Thankfully, #1 came home happy yesterday and reported that this girl had been very nice to her and things seem to be going much better.
There was definitely peace in the midst of the storm, which is very reassuring because there is always some kind of trial to endure right around the corner!
update: I posted this originally this morning but, it was another rough day with this girl today! Argh! I know God's got it all under control!
Hi! I think the meeting went very well. #1 certainly handled herself well and was assertive with the girl but very respectful. Please let me know if the situation doesn’t improve.
Since then, we've been praying about the situation and for this to be a turning part in this girl's life. #1 wasn't sure how this whole meeting would shake out because the girl got upset and defensive then wouldn't talk to her the rest of the that day. Thankfully, #1 came home happy yesterday and reported that this girl had been very nice to her and things seem to be going much better.
There was definitely peace in the midst of the storm, which is very reassuring because there is always some kind of trial to endure right around the corner!
update: I posted this originally this morning but, it was another rough day with this girl today! Argh! I know God's got it all under control!
Twenty Years is a Long Time
I received a flyer in the mail for my upcoming twenty year reunion.
Did I just type that? Has it honestly been that long since I graduated from high school? I remember my mom going to hers and I thought "Man, she's old"!
But, I'm not sure if I'll be attending, yet. The cost is $60 per person. There is a 3-hour open bar so you know what that means??! Woo-hoo! Three hours of unlimited Diet Coke for me! I should have quite the caffeine buzz working as a result of consuming my favorite beverage all night. Seriously, I hate open bar. Two hours into any event with an open bar you can't have an intelligent conversation with at least half the people there. And, it's just not safe. People drink a little more responsibly when they empty their wallet after a few drinks, but when it is like an alcohol "buffet" that's another story.
Each of our reunions there is a memory book. It is contact information and a little blurb about what you've been doing the past 20 years. This question made me chuckle:
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm not sure if I could sum it up in a few sentences because this is what most people who haven't seen me in twenty years would be surprised to know:
Did I just type that? Has it honestly been that long since I graduated from high school? I remember my mom going to hers and I thought "Man, she's old"!
But, I'm not sure if I'll be attending, yet. The cost is $60 per person. There is a 3-hour open bar so you know what that means??! Woo-hoo! Three hours of unlimited Diet Coke for me! I should have quite the caffeine buzz working as a result of consuming my favorite beverage all night. Seriously, I hate open bar. Two hours into any event with an open bar you can't have an intelligent conversation with at least half the people there. And, it's just not safe. People drink a little more responsibly when they empty their wallet after a few drinks, but when it is like an alcohol "buffet" that's another story.
Each of our reunions there is a memory book. It is contact information and a little blurb about what you've been doing the past 20 years. This question made me chuckle:
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm not sure if I could sum it up in a few sentences because this is what most people who haven't seen me in twenty years would be surprised to know:
- I don't drink alcoholic beverages
- I don't smoke
- I'm faithful, physically and emotionally, to my husband
- I don't curse like a drunken sailor
- I don't judge people by outward appearance and say mean things
- I love Jesus and being involved at my church
- I love being a wife and mom
- Pick a hair color, any hair color
- Pick a weight between 125-203
- I like playing and watching sports (watching my kids play sports, that is!)
- I only listen to Christian music and Hannah Montana bubble-gum rock, with a little High School Musical thrown in
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Million Dollar Question
Recently, the Lord has been stretching me, asking me a question that I know He knows the answer to, but do I?
Have I really surrendered everything over to Him?
I started to ponder Old Testament times and how sins had to be atoned for by anim*l s*crifice. I've read over that part and don't spend a lot of time thinking about it because it was an issue of obedience. They HAD to do it.
Or, did they? Just like we disobey today, did anyone disobey back then? Free will certainly comes into play, doesn't it? And, most people who love the Lord, never intend to outright disobey Him, right?
I was thinking about what it would have been like to raise a perfect lamb, without a spot or blemish (enter pride). I would probably start to admire the beauty of this lamb and entertain thoughts of how sad it is that this poor innocent creature had to die. I may have eventually gotten attached to her and named her Sparky and put a pretty pink bow in her hair! But, when it came time to bring her to the temple as a burnt s*acrifice I may have conveniently "forgot" that was the day or flat out out refused (I'll find another lamb). Or, I may have tried to hide her. Because I lost my focus.
I forgot about the covenant and started to rationalize and defend my disobedience.
Let's put this another way. Let's put my pride on the alter. Oh, I don't know. I've had it for so long, I put a pink bow in it's hair and I don't want to put it on the alter. If I admit my weaknesses I'll be humiliated and I'm just not ready to make that kind of sacrifice. How about my "personal agenda"? I'm not ready to put that on the alter, I've worked so hard to make it beautiful. To make my life comfortable and the way I like things to be. The list goes on and on....my past, my resentment, my jealousy, my credit cards, my blog, my control. It doesn't have to be a negative stronghold, it can even be my home, finances or the ministry God has called me to. Would I be disobeying if I:
1. Keep any sin-issues hidden that God wants to deal with?
2. Or, to flat out refuse to lay down the things I love too much when God is asking me to?
Yes, it's disobedience. And, then the struggle begins to relinquish the control I enjoy so much having over my own life!
It sort of goes along with this post. Our sacrifices are not always financial, but are they pleasing to the Lord? He knows our hearts and knows every motive behind what we do. I struggle with knowing the difference between serving the Lord and people pleasing. For many years I served so people would like me and I'd get a "title" and I never even thought about my defensive, easily offended attitude much. It wasn't until God asked me to put a few of those "titles" on the alter (and, it was hard!) that the true transformation in my life took place. This journey really became about Him, and in that process I have a joy that can only be taken away if I allow it to be. He is so good!
God has begun to work on my heart again. He's asking me to put fear and unbelief on the alter so His Mighty Fire can consume it.
This time, I think I'll lay them down without a struggle.
Have I really surrendered everything over to Him?
I started to ponder Old Testament times and how sins had to be atoned for by anim*l s*crifice. I've read over that part and don't spend a lot of time thinking about it because it was an issue of obedience. They HAD to do it.
Or, did they? Just like we disobey today, did anyone disobey back then? Free will certainly comes into play, doesn't it? And, most people who love the Lord, never intend to outright disobey Him, right?
I was thinking about what it would have been like to raise a perfect lamb, without a spot or blemish (enter pride). I would probably start to admire the beauty of this lamb and entertain thoughts of how sad it is that this poor innocent creature had to die. I may have eventually gotten attached to her and named her Sparky and put a pretty pink bow in her hair! But, when it came time to bring her to the temple as a burnt s*acrifice I may have conveniently "forgot" that was the day or flat out out refused (I'll find another lamb). Or, I may have tried to hide her. Because I lost my focus.
I forgot about the covenant and started to rationalize and defend my disobedience.
Let's put this another way. Let's put my pride on the alter. Oh, I don't know. I've had it for so long, I put a pink bow in it's hair and I don't want to put it on the alter. If I admit my weaknesses I'll be humiliated and I'm just not ready to make that kind of sacrifice. How about my "personal agenda"? I'm not ready to put that on the alter, I've worked so hard to make it beautiful. To make my life comfortable and the way I like things to be. The list goes on and on....my past, my resentment, my jealousy, my credit cards, my blog, my control. It doesn't have to be a negative stronghold, it can even be my home, finances or the ministry God has called me to. Would I be disobeying if I:
1. Keep any sin-issues hidden that God wants to deal with?
2. Or, to flat out refuse to lay down the things I love too much when God is asking me to?
Yes, it's disobedience. And, then the struggle begins to relinquish the control I enjoy so much having over my own life!
It sort of goes along with this post. Our sacrifices are not always financial, but are they pleasing to the Lord? He knows our hearts and knows every motive behind what we do. I struggle with knowing the difference between serving the Lord and people pleasing. For many years I served so people would like me and I'd get a "title" and I never even thought about my defensive, easily offended attitude much. It wasn't until God asked me to put a few of those "titles" on the alter (and, it was hard!) that the true transformation in my life took place. This journey really became about Him, and in that process I have a joy that can only be taken away if I allow it to be. He is so good!
God has begun to work on my heart again. He's asking me to put fear and unbelief on the alter so His Mighty Fire can consume it.
This time, I think I'll lay them down without a struggle.
Praying for Peace in the Storm
It's so hard when your kids go through tough times, but I am reminded by the Lord that they are not our battles to "fight" in the flesh. That doesn't mean that we don't try our best to equip our kids with encouraging advice and prayer (lots of prayer!).
As great as our overall public school experience has been, there are still some serious "mean girl" issues going on in the middle school. There is a girl (I hesitate to call her a friend) that asks #1 if she can sit with her at lunch every day and so #1 assumes they are friends because they'll also hang out together at recess. But, then the rest of the day the girl does things like call her names that I will not mention on this blog, pushed her down the stairs and never once returns a compliment (#1 will say "that's a nice shirt you're wearing" and the girl will respond, "I know, yours is ugly"). To complicate matters further, they are on the same indoor soccer team (I found this out much to my dismay when #1's team didn't have enough players so they combined with this other girl's team). It has really been a strain and #1 never knows what to expect from this girl. Of course, we've discussed this from many angles. Maybe this girl thinks she is just being "cool" or funny. Her family may talk to each other like this. No matter what #1 tries to do it just seems to get worse. Finally, yesterday the girl asked to sit with her at lunch, #1 said no and tried to explain why. The girl called her a nasty name and stalked off. Then, the rest of the afternoon every time she saw #1 she called her that same nasty name.
Well, #1 has finally had enough. She met with her school counselor (a great lady) and now the 3 of them have a meeting this morning. #1 has tried so many times to talk to this girl about her hurtful behavior, but she'll just tell #1 to "shut up". This girl is well-known (I'm not sure how well-liked) and #1 is very nervous about her making her life even more miserable by having this meeting with the counselor. I told her she is doing the right thing. She tried to handle it on her own and the situation has gotten out of hand (this girl also kicked #1 very hard in the ankle and it still hurts her sometimes, many months later).
Now that I've set the stage for you, please imagine that when I see this girl I would like to throttle her. The counselor told #1 that this girl will try to justify everything with a "I was just kidding around". Apparently, this is common at this age. But for me, it is so hard to step back and watch my kids go through this stuff. Adversity builds their character. I believe that, but who wants to watch their kids suffer? Then, I think of what our Heavenly Father watches us go through day after day, some of it self-inflicted pain from bad choices, and how His heart must break. And, He knows just when to intervene and just when to let His truth and Word guide us and comfort us. That's the kind of parent I want to be.
So, I'll be praying for her during her meeting and I'll be there to listen at the end of her school day. And, in between, I'll be trying not to fret about it!
As great as our overall public school experience has been, there are still some serious "mean girl" issues going on in the middle school. There is a girl (I hesitate to call her a friend) that asks #1 if she can sit with her at lunch every day and so #1 assumes they are friends because they'll also hang out together at recess. But, then the rest of the day the girl does things like call her names that I will not mention on this blog, pushed her down the stairs and never once returns a compliment (#1 will say "that's a nice shirt you're wearing" and the girl will respond, "I know, yours is ugly"). To complicate matters further, they are on the same indoor soccer team (I found this out much to my dismay when #1's team didn't have enough players so they combined with this other girl's team). It has really been a strain and #1 never knows what to expect from this girl. Of course, we've discussed this from many angles. Maybe this girl thinks she is just being "cool" or funny. Her family may talk to each other like this. No matter what #1 tries to do it just seems to get worse. Finally, yesterday the girl asked to sit with her at lunch, #1 said no and tried to explain why. The girl called her a nasty name and stalked off. Then, the rest of the afternoon every time she saw #1 she called her that same nasty name.
Well, #1 has finally had enough. She met with her school counselor (a great lady) and now the 3 of them have a meeting this morning. #1 has tried so many times to talk to this girl about her hurtful behavior, but she'll just tell #1 to "shut up". This girl is well-known (I'm not sure how well-liked) and #1 is very nervous about her making her life even more miserable by having this meeting with the counselor. I told her she is doing the right thing. She tried to handle it on her own and the situation has gotten out of hand (this girl also kicked #1 very hard in the ankle and it still hurts her sometimes, many months later).
Now that I've set the stage for you, please imagine that when I see this girl I would like to throttle her. The counselor told #1 that this girl will try to justify everything with a "I was just kidding around". Apparently, this is common at this age. But for me, it is so hard to step back and watch my kids go through this stuff. Adversity builds their character. I believe that, but who wants to watch their kids suffer? Then, I think of what our Heavenly Father watches us go through day after day, some of it self-inflicted pain from bad choices, and how His heart must break. And, He knows just when to intervene and just when to let His truth and Word guide us and comfort us. That's the kind of parent I want to be.
So, I'll be praying for her during her meeting and I'll be there to listen at the end of her school day. And, in between, I'll be trying not to fret about it!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Can You Believe It?
I'm helping this week at our elementary school book fair and I had a funny conversation with some of the moms. I asked if any of them blog and they stared at me like I asked if they eat human flesh. After I laughed (awkwardly) I tried to explain what that entails (side note: without spell check working I had to make sure I didn't type "entrails"because that would've changed the whole meaning of the sentence) and realized.....
I SOUNDED SO LAME.
They were probably thinking that I need to get a life. Or, get a grip because I babbled for a few minutes hoping one of them would say " Wow, cool", but they just nodded their heads and were like "Oh, that looks like a cute book on the shelf WAYYYY OVER THERE". A few chuckled, but it was one of those "are they laughing with me or at me?" deals.
I finally admitted it's more of a disease than a hobby. And, then (thank the Good Lord above) I pretty much shut up for the rest of the morning unless someone asked me a direct question.
One day, I'll realize I do not have to reign as the "Queen of Small Talk" and really, it's okay, to just be quiet around people I don't know very well!
I SOUNDED SO LAME.
They were probably thinking that I need to get a life. Or, get a grip because I babbled for a few minutes hoping one of them would say " Wow, cool", but they just nodded their heads and were like "Oh, that looks like a cute book on the shelf WAYYYY OVER THERE". A few chuckled, but it was one of those "are they laughing with me or at me?" deals.
I finally admitted it's more of a disease than a hobby. And, then (thank the Good Lord above) I pretty much shut up for the rest of the morning unless someone asked me a direct question.
One day, I'll realize I do not have to reign as the "Queen of Small Talk" and really, it's okay, to just be quiet around people I don't know very well!
The Big Game & Stuff
I watched the SuperBowl on and off last night. The commercials were great. My favorite was the the one for etrader.com (I think) with the baby who had enough "coin" to buy himself a clown. I laughed so hard at that one! Anyone else have any favorites?
What a great game! It has got to be inspiration to everyone out there that you CAN NOT give up, no matter what you're up against. With all the cheating and bad sportsmanship, it would have been awful for the Patriots to win. Yet, it looked like the Giants didn't stand a chance. I'm so happy for them. I'm not even a Giants fan and I'm so glad they won. It is a sermon in the making of David vs. Goliath!
During the game I played cards with the girls and then we played Apples to Apples (so fun!) as a family including Aunt and Uncle Extreme Kitchen Makeover, who were here to celebrate The Husband's birthday. It was the first year I didn't plan some kind of crazy party for The Husband, but we just felt like a quiet night at home playing games and watching the SuperBowl just seemed like a good choice this year. And, it was very peaceful. Perhaps, it felt like such a treat to be home, because we run all over the place the rest of the week!
What a great game! It has got to be inspiration to everyone out there that you CAN NOT give up, no matter what you're up against. With all the cheating and bad sportsmanship, it would have been awful for the Patriots to win. Yet, it looked like the Giants didn't stand a chance. I'm so happy for them. I'm not even a Giants fan and I'm so glad they won. It is a sermon in the making of David vs. Goliath!
During the game I played cards with the girls and then we played Apples to Apples (so fun!) as a family including Aunt and Uncle Extreme Kitchen Makeover, who were here to celebrate The Husband's birthday. It was the first year I didn't plan some kind of crazy party for The Husband, but we just felt like a quiet night at home playing games and watching the SuperBowl just seemed like a good choice this year. And, it was very peaceful. Perhaps, it felt like such a treat to be home, because we run all over the place the rest of the week!
Friday, February 1, 2008
A Sacrifice Isn't Really a Sacrifice, Unless it Costs Something
First of all, my eyes were burning at 11:30 pm from continuing to enter all the Bloggy Carnival Giveaways! It is a sickness, I tell you.
Therefore, I was very thankful for the 2-hour delay we had this morning due to all that lovely freezing rain. Part of why I was up all night was the 2 tall cups of coffee I drank last night at Sugar Mamas (where Coyote Joe's used to be).
My friend, S. and I decided to try out Sugar Mamas, but I'll be honest. I have an aversion to local "cafe and coffee houses" because it is a painful reminder of the cafe we closed almost 2 years ago. In fact, just talking about Coyote Joe's closing up reminded me that we had opened the same time they did, only they got a lot of press and I was jealous.
We walked into Sugar Mamas and it was empty, again (sadly) reminding me of what our cafe looked like on a Thursday night at 7pm. It brought back a rush of memories including despair, hopelessness, frustration over employees and a lack of customers.....
........hold on while I go pop some Excedrin.
Okay, so if you are from around here, please go to Sugar Mamas and support them. Their coffee was fabulous and their desserts and gelato were scrumptious! He must have given us a sample of almost every flavor of gelato they carry!
So, with all that caffeine in me I was wide awake allowing my thoughts to drift back to owning the cafe and closing the cafe and how I am still so wounded by it. Everyone used to tell us, "Don't think you failed....it wasn't your fault. People just didn't know about it, the location was bad, the planets weren't aligned, etc....the important thing is that you learned something from it".
Yeah, I learned I don't like to fail.
So, as I continued to harbor this yucky feeling God started reminding me of the fact that rarely, a day went by without an opportunity to pray for someone. The lady with cancer, the heartbroken man whose aunt had just passed away, and a sweet couple who had come in to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary who thought it may be their last one together because the wife had just suffered a stroke. In fact, I get a lump in my throat when I think of all the tears I wept there besides the ones of frustration and feeling sorry for us. Tears of gratitude for God's healing power and divine intervention. Tears because he trusted me with His children that were in need of more than a cup of coffee.
As He helped me to remember these things, He spoke into my spirit that the cafe was the expensive perfume from the alabaster box that we poured out as worship to Jesus. It cost us, yet, we felt called there until the day He said close the doors and don't look back. Why hadn't I ever thought of this before? Perhaps, my bitterness and hurt were choking out any revelation God was trying to show me. For the last two years, I couldn't drive by the building without shuttering at the mere memories of time and money we "wasted".
I have a whole different perspective, now. Maybe it wasn't so bad, after all.
Therefore, I was very thankful for the 2-hour delay we had this morning due to all that lovely freezing rain. Part of why I was up all night was the 2 tall cups of coffee I drank last night at Sugar Mamas (where Coyote Joe's used to be).
My friend, S. and I decided to try out Sugar Mamas, but I'll be honest. I have an aversion to local "cafe and coffee houses" because it is a painful reminder of the cafe we closed almost 2 years ago. In fact, just talking about Coyote Joe's closing up reminded me that we had opened the same time they did, only they got a lot of press and I was jealous.
We walked into Sugar Mamas and it was empty, again (sadly) reminding me of what our cafe looked like on a Thursday night at 7pm. It brought back a rush of memories including despair, hopelessness, frustration over employees and a lack of customers.....
........hold on while I go pop some Excedrin.
Okay, so if you are from around here, please go to Sugar Mamas and support them. Their coffee was fabulous and their desserts and gelato were scrumptious! He must have given us a sample of almost every flavor of gelato they carry!
So, with all that caffeine in me I was wide awake allowing my thoughts to drift back to owning the cafe and closing the cafe and how I am still so wounded by it. Everyone used to tell us, "Don't think you failed....it wasn't your fault. People just didn't know about it, the location was bad, the planets weren't aligned, etc....the important thing is that you learned something from it".
Yeah, I learned I don't like to fail.
So, as I continued to harbor this yucky feeling God started reminding me of the fact that rarely, a day went by without an opportunity to pray for someone. The lady with cancer, the heartbroken man whose aunt had just passed away, and a sweet couple who had come in to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary who thought it may be their last one together because the wife had just suffered a stroke. In fact, I get a lump in my throat when I think of all the tears I wept there besides the ones of frustration and feeling sorry for us. Tears of gratitude for God's healing power and divine intervention. Tears because he trusted me with His children that were in need of more than a cup of coffee.
As He helped me to remember these things, He spoke into my spirit that the cafe was the expensive perfume from the alabaster box that we poured out as worship to Jesus. It cost us, yet, we felt called there until the day He said close the doors and don't look back. Why hadn't I ever thought of this before? Perhaps, my bitterness and hurt were choking out any revelation God was trying to show me. For the last two years, I couldn't drive by the building without shuttering at the mere memories of time and money we "wasted".
I have a whole different perspective, now. Maybe it wasn't so bad, after all.
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