Do You Remember??

I had a pressing question for myself today and simply could not answer it myself. I know it sounds really bad but I could not remember when I graduated. Yeah I know it's lame and makes me sound quite a bit older than I actually am, senile really. But for the last week or so I have genuinely confused. I had quite a few friends who graduated the year before me and was mixing them with the ones I graduated with. It was all a very confusing for a little while. Until a good friend was gracious enough to tell me that I graduated with her and just what year that was.

Whew!!

Have a Blessed Holy-Day!!
Happy Resurrection Sunday!!

Good Intentions

Here's a small bit of how lunch went

for me and my toddler shadow the other day.

We were out and about, running an errand or two for "Mummy" when hunger rumbles began from the backseat in the form of whimpers and crabby growls. I had been trying to ignore similar groanings from my own tummy and found relief in the company of a little boy having the need for edible substance. While our stomach's made their request known to all within a reasonable distance from the open car windows my taste buds were searching their vast memories for a remedy. I could tell from the way the discussion was going that fresh veggies, cold-cuts and cheese were going to win the vote so I made hast for the nearest sub shop.

I thank God that this toddler really has no qualms when it comes to choosing food. He has eaten nearly anything that I've placed before him from the beginning of our relationship and I like it that way. So my choice was for a Roast Beef sub with cheddar and a wide selection of veggies. As I waited for the careful wrapping of our lunch and the choco-chip cookie that was so eloquently suggested by my small companion he found a table just right for two with a view out the window and an equally pleasing view of the other diners who were enjoying the establishment (we're both people watchers).

All went smoothly for the first few minutes. I unwrapped our provisonary sub and began to tear pieces just his size and place them on a bit of the wrapping while he sampled the soda a couple of times. Soon the eating began. We were both quite satisfied with what was provided for just a few dollars and could not have asked for anything more. Then it happened, that thing which always happens while dining with an almost two-year-old. The food is no longer seen as necessary for life but rather a distraction from other more important endeavors like smiling at the random construction worker and wandering to the lap of the most familiar adult.

Even though this was not what I had in mind for our little outing, I was not disturbed or frustrated with his distractions but rather sought to deal with it in the most suitable manner. I willing held the young boy and according to my experience had a firm grip on his waist ensuring that he could not depart from his new found seat. Then I skillfully moved his meal to the same side of the table and commenced to suggest each bite in the most alluring manner. My meal was finished and this alone remained on our to do list for this stop and I was confident that it could be accomplished. But that was before, before the manager tried to help.

It must be a lovely thing to be the manager of a restaurant which offers toys to small children with their meals because should the need arise you can opt to offer said toy to a less advantaged child who is distracting his/her parents from the task they actually arrived for, eating. However this was not the case for myself and my young companion. Therefore the presentation, although met with a smile from both the child and myself was not helpful to the task at hand but rather a further distraction.

Soon after the suggestion of a high chair was made and the manager mad her way back to managing, my toddler and I made ready to leave. I recognized that the furtherance of this endeavor would indeed be pointless as the toy, which I couldn't take away at this point, was infinitely more important that dietary needs.

Sneezy Pleazy

Another smell that I love visited on Monday. Just before the rains came in bucket fulls everyone went out and gave their lawns their first cut of the season. That fresh-cut smell leaves me sneezing but I can't help loving it.

P.S.

Did you know there are people out there? My profile broke 600 views yesterday. Not sure how to react. So I'll just say:

"Hey, What's up?"

&

"Why didn't you leave a comment?"

Freak of Design

Taking a general look at me you may never guess that I am indeed a freak. My freakiness would not constitute my own spot in the circus or anything. It's really not that noticable to the casual eye yet it is indeed unusual among many that I am associated with. This physical oddity usually isn't too troubling and I don't pa much attention to it most of the time. The instances in whichit has had the most impact it has had the most impression upon daily or casual life are 1. buying a car 2. riding in a kiddy coaster with a child who may require adult participation according to height guidelines 3. Buying a car 4. Riding economy class on an airplane. 5. Purchasing clothing.

You may have already guessed that I have long legs. I know that there are people with longer legs and that this is not so freaky as I make it sound but #5 on this list reveals another aspect that is odd. My torso is quite short. I have a friend who is a half foot shorter than me and yet when we sit side by side she is the same height. My torso's short, her's is long. I have another friend that I am about an inch taller than, we have similar body types and yet her torso is indeed longer than my own.

In short I am a long legged, long armed (fuel for another post) FREAK.

The First In An Endless Step Program

I think that I've mentioned before how I am a great hypocrite but I just wanted to further the point today.

This last week I was very suddenly asked to quote a little book of the Bible that the Lord has graciously allowed me to memorize and miraculously retain for a few years now. Along with the reciting of this book I was asked to do some teaching regarding the importance of God's Word and sing a few scripture songs to or with them. After a little exaggerated thought on the proposition I accepted the invitation and began on a very busy Saturday to prepare for about 20 minutes of teaching children the following morning.

So between an accountability meeting with my lovely and gracious mentor, a family-wide birthday dinner, a tea party and a concert I quoted the book once and for the rest of the day tried to steal moments to consider what else I might have to contribute to these young minds and lives. Those moments however were sucked up with angst over family matters, seeing well-missed faces at both the family and tea gatherings and trying to overcome my social spazz-tizity for a concert setting. I don't think it must be said that I failed in the preparation department. So upon returning home from the concert I spent about an hour talking to myself and my Lord, going through what I wanted to convey to the kids and praying for direction from the very Author of the scriptures I was invited to lift up before this children.

In the end God proved Himself much more faithful to meet the needs of those children than myself. Which, of course, is always the case. I ended up teaching for about 25 minutes and found that the Lord was quick to provide what needed to be said at just the right time. It was an amazing experience to ask the kids questions and then realize not only did I know the answer to the question but more importantly I knew a verse and its reference that the answer was based upon. I could show them exactly how we know that "Jesus Rocks!!"(1 Peter 2) "The Bible Rocks" (2 Timothy 3:16) and we as God's children are meant to Rock (Ephesians 2:10).

I was truly blown away at the things that were coming from my mouth and knew that God alone could be the reason for the sharpness of mind. But I was also convicted because I know that I don't live like Jesus and the Bible Rocks every time I have that opportunity. Therefore I am a hypocrite. Look it up. You'll find that it means someone who says one thing and then lives quite differently when all is boiled down. However there is hope for this hypocrite because like an addict the first step to recovery is admitting there is a problem. God is good and gracious in all things and He will prove Himself as such time and time again. But as time goes on I pray that my being a hypocrite will be less and less proven.

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Nanny Agency

On Friday of last week I made the decision to re-enter the child-care world. It was as if a message went out on the wind in many different directions. I called that day to speak to "The Nanny Connection" about an ad that they had placed in the paper and since that time I have not gone a day without an offer of employment.

My last post spoke of being a brave beginner and I have tried to be such in this time. I have, however, failed in the outward bravery department. I have had two interviews in the last two days and both have held questions that induced tears. The questions were about the last family I worked with. Perhaps I am seeing this step as the final one that says "I'm not going to work with them anymore."

Turn, Turn, Turn

"A beginning is always risky. It takes some courage to be a starter..."

-a fellow blogger

How many beginnings are thrown into our paths? Endless. Even the end of everything we know is a beginning to what is still somewhat a mystery.

I've recently began a job at a local retail store where I enjoy the people and don't mind the work. As I have commited to finishing out the Holidays with this store, the beginning is complete. However, there will be an end this arrangement. I don't know when or why but another beginning will be required then and new arrangements will be a must.

For one that dispises changes, there are many before me. There is a blessing in all of this. My God is in control. By saying "My God" the highlight is on His being over and even for me. He is faithful not only to meet my needs but to refuse the wants that will bring harm or shame to His glory.

Praise Him that He is careful to preserve His Glory and therefore faithful to those who are to bare it before the world.

-Christmas Blessings-

"Leavin' On A Jet Plane"

The thought of being hundreds of feet above land in a flying football field with very little possibility of exit, surrounded by countless people I have never seen before in my life is beginning to get to me. I mentioned having autistic tendencies in my last post, and believe me, it's true.

I was doing some shopping for a friend in Febuary of this past year and it required my passing the greeting card section on the evening before Valentine's Day. I went sweating and praying the whole way through and then couldn't shake the feeling of being surrounded by so many people and therefore was shaking on the inside as well as trying to get in a fetal position while walking through the rest of the store. It's a bit awkward when complete strangers are seeing you twitch, flop your wrists, and raise your tongue to the roof of your mouth to keep from balling up on the floor.

I am scheduled to depart on the morning of Labor Day and am looking foward to the arrival in California, however when someone asks are you excited; I can only think of the plane ride there. Sure, there are some details I need to get worked out before I leave and the emotions of being apart from family and friends, as well as trying to hold to the new guidelines of air travel, but those things are mild considerations in comparison to actually getting on the plane. I'm not afraid of crashing or terriorists, just the common person who may be sitting next to me.

The challenge for me then is to remain calm in Jesus. To look beyond that body next to me and trying to share an armrest with them, toward the soul that dwells within and it's need for Christ. An hour and a half to Dallas is quite a while to share the Good News.

If you think of it, please pray for this hypertensive person who can't stand to be trapped in the back corner of her very own church by people, who she is completely comfortable with, while they engage in excellent conversation.

"No need to be anxious we have heard His Son say..."