I just saw the greatest bumper sticker. It made me laugh out loud.
"Discourage Inbreeding. Ban Country Music"
Monday, March 27, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
The Conversation Piece – Question #5
5. If you could have the voice of any famous person, living or deceased, whose voice would you want to claim as your own?
Well, this question seems silly to me. I cannot think of a voice I would rather have. I would, however, like to have a different singing voice. (As a teen in church choir a friend of mine asked me to sing quieter! It was a rude awakening for me.) I have often imagined how nice it would be to have this beautiful singing voice. For that, I’d choose Margaret Becker’s voice. I love her. Her music isn’t a style that I am necessarily drawn to but her voice grabs me. I cannot explain it (how it affects me) but I love it. She’s amazing. Maybe one day in heaven I will be able to sing like Maggie B!
Well, this question seems silly to me. I cannot think of a voice I would rather have. I would, however, like to have a different singing voice. (As a teen in church choir a friend of mine asked me to sing quieter! It was a rude awakening for me.) I have often imagined how nice it would be to have this beautiful singing voice. For that, I’d choose Margaret Becker’s voice. I love her. Her music isn’t a style that I am necessarily drawn to but her voice grabs me. I cannot explain it (how it affects me) but I love it. She’s amazing. Maybe one day in heaven I will be able to sing like Maggie B!
Monday, March 20, 2006
The Conversation Piece - Question #4
#4: Which month of the year do you think would best describe your personality?
This was more challenging to me that I thought it would be when I first read it. I immediately tried to decide which month was my favorite. But, that is not the question. I had to give my personality some thought. It is hard to be self-reflective. It would be easier for me to ask someone else to honestly describe my personality and then pick a month. Anyway, after some thought I settled on two words to describe myself: reserved and outgoing. I am outgoing. I love to go places! I love to be around activity. I am reserved, too. I do not like to be the center of attention. I tend to become quiet in a new atmosphere or a new group setting. Based on those traits, I picked September. September is a beautiful fall month but it doesn't get as much show as October. That's why I picked it. The trees are full of color but October tends to get more of the presentation. It is also cooler than the summer but not cold.
This was more challenging to me that I thought it would be when I first read it. I immediately tried to decide which month was my favorite. But, that is not the question. I had to give my personality some thought. It is hard to be self-reflective. It would be easier for me to ask someone else to honestly describe my personality and then pick a month. Anyway, after some thought I settled on two words to describe myself: reserved and outgoing. I am outgoing. I love to go places! I love to be around activity. I am reserved, too. I do not like to be the center of attention. I tend to become quiet in a new atmosphere or a new group setting. Based on those traits, I picked September. September is a beautiful fall month but it doesn't get as much show as October. That's why I picked it. The trees are full of color but October tends to get more of the presentation. It is also cooler than the summer but not cold.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Links
Another exciting Blog (will most likely be more entertaining than this one): www.owenhome.blogspot.com
A website that is a great waste of time:
www.amusingfacts.com
A website that is a great waste of time:
www.amusingfacts.com
Weird News
What is news these days? I like to read “off-beat news” sometimes. Tonight I read a positive news story that was labeled “Weird News.” I guess something so great as a Pregnant Teen-age Waitress getting a 1,000 tip is just simply weird. Check it out: www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/weird_news/14124406.htm
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Honest Truth
Yesterday I was hit in the face with the Truth. It wasn’t pretty.
I was at Best Buy. I was checking out some software that I needed for my laptop. The trial version of the software had expired. Since I don’t get to stores like that too often (and especially kid-free), I decided to buy it and then opt to take it back if I didn’t need it. I had a few other items to buy also. As I was checking out I talked to the clerk about whether or not I could return the software. She seemed unsure of everything (probably new, I thought). Since the Microsoft software has key codes on the box she had to verify I could return it if I hadn’t opened it. Then, I paid for everything and walked out. I must have been daydreaming (oh how nice not to be quieting an argument from a 2 and 4 year old!) when I checked out because I got all the way to the car when it dawned on me that the total bill was incredibly low. I pulled out the receipt and the pricey Microsoft item was not on there. I went back in and I the greeter asked if had a return. I told them that they failed to charge me for an item. When I told him which item, he reacted with disbelief. He thanked me for coming back in. He wanted to know who the cashier was. He sent me to Customer Service. As I approached the customer service desk, I was greeted and asked if I had a return. I told the girl that I had not been charged for an item. When I told her which one, she went right behind the counter and helped me. No need for me to wait in the line. Suddenly I had 3 people helping me. There were three customer service reps (one of which was a manager) gushing over me and how they were so grateful to me. I said I didn’t think much about it. I didn’t want the cashier to get in trouble; I just wanted to pay for what I bought. They seemed so genuinely surprised. They went on and on about how many people would have walked away happy to have gotten such a great deal. I believe I said something about how if I hadn’t come back in, that would have been like stealing. I was surprised to have such a big reaction. Then they said that they wanted me to have a $25 gift card because they appreciated my honesty so much. Wow, I couldn’t help but think that it was crazy to be rewarded for telling the truth. I also was excited about having a free gift card. How Nice! After continued thanks from everyone (including the greeter on the way out), I made my way to my car feeling a little amazed at the world. Why was it that telling the truth was such a big deal. I was thinking that the world is in sad shape when honestly is regarded with pure amazement. I was driving along thinking about the deterioration of our society when I heard that still small voice. I had a few realizations. I took the gift card. I enjoyed the attention. Something that should have been no big deal to anyone, gave me a lot of satisfaction. I was hit with the hard truth that in that moment of recognition I was full of pride. I took the card when I could have refused it. It was sobering to realize that I enjoyed the attention. I was convicted of what I could have done. I could refused the card and said that I just wanted to be honest and I don’t want a reward for doing what I believe I should do. Further, I had ample opportunity to share why I do honest things. Even a comment or two about my faith would have been a testimony. I could have taken several different approaches to the situation. But, I was blind-sided and I definitely didn’t see my pride (though now I wonder if the other people did).
I have been working on memorizing a scripture through a study I am doing. I didn’t feel a connection to the scripture because it talks about boasting. Earlier in the week, I couldn’t imagine being proud enough to boast. Now, I understand the verse a little more. We boast through our pride—and we don’t have to use words to boast.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.”
I was at Best Buy. I was checking out some software that I needed for my laptop. The trial version of the software had expired. Since I don’t get to stores like that too often (and especially kid-free), I decided to buy it and then opt to take it back if I didn’t need it. I had a few other items to buy also. As I was checking out I talked to the clerk about whether or not I could return the software. She seemed unsure of everything (probably new, I thought). Since the Microsoft software has key codes on the box she had to verify I could return it if I hadn’t opened it. Then, I paid for everything and walked out. I must have been daydreaming (oh how nice not to be quieting an argument from a 2 and 4 year old!) when I checked out because I got all the way to the car when it dawned on me that the total bill was incredibly low. I pulled out the receipt and the pricey Microsoft item was not on there. I went back in and I the greeter asked if had a return. I told them that they failed to charge me for an item. When I told him which item, he reacted with disbelief. He thanked me for coming back in. He wanted to know who the cashier was. He sent me to Customer Service. As I approached the customer service desk, I was greeted and asked if I had a return. I told the girl that I had not been charged for an item. When I told her which one, she went right behind the counter and helped me. No need for me to wait in the line. Suddenly I had 3 people helping me. There were three customer service reps (one of which was a manager) gushing over me and how they were so grateful to me. I said I didn’t think much about it. I didn’t want the cashier to get in trouble; I just wanted to pay for what I bought. They seemed so genuinely surprised. They went on and on about how many people would have walked away happy to have gotten such a great deal. I believe I said something about how if I hadn’t come back in, that would have been like stealing. I was surprised to have such a big reaction. Then they said that they wanted me to have a $25 gift card because they appreciated my honesty so much. Wow, I couldn’t help but think that it was crazy to be rewarded for telling the truth. I also was excited about having a free gift card. How Nice! After continued thanks from everyone (including the greeter on the way out), I made my way to my car feeling a little amazed at the world. Why was it that telling the truth was such a big deal. I was thinking that the world is in sad shape when honestly is regarded with pure amazement. I was driving along thinking about the deterioration of our society when I heard that still small voice. I had a few realizations. I took the gift card. I enjoyed the attention. Something that should have been no big deal to anyone, gave me a lot of satisfaction. I was hit with the hard truth that in that moment of recognition I was full of pride. I took the card when I could have refused it. It was sobering to realize that I enjoyed the attention. I was convicted of what I could have done. I could refused the card and said that I just wanted to be honest and I don’t want a reward for doing what I believe I should do. Further, I had ample opportunity to share why I do honest things. Even a comment or two about my faith would have been a testimony. I could have taken several different approaches to the situation. But, I was blind-sided and I definitely didn’t see my pride (though now I wonder if the other people did).
I have been working on memorizing a scripture through a study I am doing. I didn’t feel a connection to the scripture because it talks about boasting. Earlier in the week, I couldn’t imagine being proud enough to boast. Now, I understand the verse a little more. We boast through our pride—and we don’t have to use words to boast.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.”
Friday, March 10, 2006
Oh you think that's bad
What is it with people who want to share bad stories? I mean, why is it that we decide to try to connect with someone through a terrible story? Ask any pregnant women or woman that has been pregnant if these questions make sense and you will hear a resounding Yes-- or see an enthusiastic nod of the head. Pregnant women always hear the terrible birth stories. I just don't get it.
My bad story example for today: I met a woman tonight at a friend's house. We ended up talking about my son's severe allergy to peanuts and how protecting him is scary. And, the woman said, 'Ohhh, that's bad. I knew someone that had a peanut allergy. She bit into a brownie that had nuts in it but she didn't know it. She died. It was so quick and she was only 14." All I could say was, "Wow." But, tonight as I ponder that conversation, I have to wonder WHY she wanted to share that with me. How did that help anything? It ended the conversation and it certainly didn't help me with my struggle. I wonder if she regretted sharing the story. But, I imagine that like most small talk gone astray she probably didn't give it another thought. And, here I am a mere 6 hours later thinking about it.
My bad story example for today: I met a woman tonight at a friend's house. We ended up talking about my son's severe allergy to peanuts and how protecting him is scary. And, the woman said, 'Ohhh, that's bad. I knew someone that had a peanut allergy. She bit into a brownie that had nuts in it but she didn't know it. She died. It was so quick and she was only 14." All I could say was, "Wow." But, tonight as I ponder that conversation, I have to wonder WHY she wanted to share that with me. How did that help anything? It ended the conversation and it certainly didn't help me with my struggle. I wonder if she regretted sharing the story. But, I imagine that like most small talk gone astray she probably didn't give it another thought. And, here I am a mere 6 hours later thinking about it.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
The Conversation Piece - Question #3
Question 3: Thinking back to all of the great TV series finales that you’ve seen over the years, which show do you believe had the best final episode?
I really am not much of a TV lover. I have thought about this question on and off all day and the only 2 final episodes I can really remember are for Seinfeld and Friends. I didn't think the Seinfeld one was all that good and the Friends one was fairly predictable. The only TV show that I ever really loved was Happy Days when I was a kid. (Oh, ok, I also really liked Remington Steele when I was little, too, but I had a crush on the main character! Man, that was a great show wasn't it, Becky?) Basically, I don’t like to get sucked in by the TV. I am behind on so much in my life and TV just seems to suck more of life away. Here’are a few lines from a song that I really like right now.
A few lines from “"Good People"” by Jack Johnson
Whatever you say
Turn on the boob tube, I'm in the mood to obey
So lead me astray
And by the way now...
Where’d all the good people go?
I’ve been changing channels and I don’t see them on the tv shows
Where'd all the good people go?
We've got heaps and heaps of what we sow”
I really am not much of a TV lover. I have thought about this question on and off all day and the only 2 final episodes I can really remember are for Seinfeld and Friends. I didn't think the Seinfeld one was all that good and the Friends one was fairly predictable. The only TV show that I ever really loved was Happy Days when I was a kid. (Oh, ok, I also really liked Remington Steele when I was little, too, but I had a crush on the main character! Man, that was a great show wasn't it, Becky?) Basically, I don’t like to get sucked in by the TV. I am behind on so much in my life and TV just seems to suck more of life away. Here’are a few lines from a song that I really like right now.
A few lines from “"Good People"” by Jack Johnson
Whatever you say
Turn on the boob tube, I'm in the mood to obey
So lead me astray
And by the way now...
Where’d all the good people go?
I’ve been changing channels and I don’t see them on the tv shows
Where'd all the good people go?
We've got heaps and heaps of what we sow”
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Conversation Piece - Question#2
Question #2: If like milk or the newspaper, you could have anything of your choice delivered to your doorstep every morning, what particular item would you want it to be?
The first thing I can think of is a Starbucks coffee. It would need to be in a nice thermal cup so it could stay warm until I open my door for it. I would alternate between a Grande Carmel Macchiato with non-fat milk and a Grande Vanilla Latte. This would be a wonderful service for me! I tried to think of something more creative and coffee is all that I could think of. I do love my coffee first thing in the morning.
OH! I just thought of something else. I would like to have a recent picture of my husband every morning. Surely, the army could provide something like that to Army spouses of deployed soliders, right? I will even give them a grace period-—that is, it can be as recent as sometime within the last two weeks. Coffee and a husband- what more could a woman want?
The first thing I can think of is a Starbucks coffee. It would need to be in a nice thermal cup so it could stay warm until I open my door for it. I would alternate between a Grande Carmel Macchiato with non-fat milk and a Grande Vanilla Latte. This would be a wonderful service for me! I tried to think of something more creative and coffee is all that I could think of. I do love my coffee first thing in the morning.
OH! I just thought of something else. I would like to have a recent picture of my husband every morning. Surely, the army could provide something like that to Army spouses of deployed soliders, right? I will even give them a grace period-—that is, it can be as recent as sometime within the last two weeks. Coffee and a husband- what more could a woman want?
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Celebration of Life
You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name I will bless Your name”
I was blessed by this chorus tonight. I was at a celebration of life service for a friend of mine. Jim lost his battle with cancer on March 2. He lost his life here on earth but he won a new life in Heaven. The service was amazing. I dreaded going. I have a fear of death. I am not afraid of dying. I am just afraid of losing someone that I love. This fear has been so real for me these last few months. My heart was in agony thinking about having to confront my fear of losing someone, while watching my dear friends’ morn their loss. I am sad that Jim is not here any more. I had just begun to get to know him a bit. But, many people I know were close to him. It is hard to grieve. I was expecting to feel just awful all day, especially after the service. I was caught off-guard by the memorial service. The service began with a praise team leading worship. The congregation was asked to sing along. I thought, ‘I cannot do that.” As I started to sing, my tears started to pour. After just moments, though, I was filled with love. I was filled with peace. It was amazing. I was able to praise God for life… for Jim’s life… and for the life he has given us all. Pastor Tanner shared about King David and how when his son was dying he fasted and prayed. He refused to eat or drink or do anything but plead for his son. When his son died, he went to the temple to worship God. As I listened, I found another chorus of that song echoing in my ears:
Every blessing You pour out I'll Turn back to praise And when the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
I left the service with a little bit of a drive back to my house. As I drove, I reflected on what I gained from the celebration of Jim’s life. God has blessed us so much. Our life is a gift. Everything that happens can be turned back to praise. Even death cannot hold back God. God has already conquered death for us in Christ. I was reminded of the most precious blessing of all—God’s gift of eternal life. I came away from the memorial service much happier and more blessed than when I came. It was a blessing to me. So God was able to bless me and others through Jim’s life and death. What an amazing testimony from his life and from his friends and family!
I was blessed by this chorus tonight. I was at a celebration of life service for a friend of mine. Jim lost his battle with cancer on March 2. He lost his life here on earth but he won a new life in Heaven. The service was amazing. I dreaded going. I have a fear of death. I am not afraid of dying. I am just afraid of losing someone that I love. This fear has been so real for me these last few months. My heart was in agony thinking about having to confront my fear of losing someone, while watching my dear friends’ morn their loss. I am sad that Jim is not here any more. I had just begun to get to know him a bit. But, many people I know were close to him. It is hard to grieve. I was expecting to feel just awful all day, especially after the service. I was caught off-guard by the memorial service. The service began with a praise team leading worship. The congregation was asked to sing along. I thought, ‘I cannot do that.” As I started to sing, my tears started to pour. After just moments, though, I was filled with love. I was filled with peace. It was amazing. I was able to praise God for life… for Jim’s life… and for the life he has given us all. Pastor Tanner shared about King David and how when his son was dying he fasted and prayed. He refused to eat or drink or do anything but plead for his son. When his son died, he went to the temple to worship God. As I listened, I found another chorus of that song echoing in my ears:
Every blessing You pour out I'll Turn back to praise And when the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
I left the service with a little bit of a drive back to my house. As I drove, I reflected on what I gained from the celebration of Jim’s life. God has blessed us so much. Our life is a gift. Everything that happens can be turned back to praise. Even death cannot hold back God. God has already conquered death for us in Christ. I was reminded of the most precious blessing of all—God’s gift of eternal life. I came away from the memorial service much happier and more blessed than when I came. It was a blessing to me. So God was able to bless me and others through Jim’s life and death. What an amazing testimony from his life and from his friends and family!
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