146) the sound of the school bell ringing
147) the rythmic slap of a jump rope hitting the ground
148) a new reader sounding out words
149) waking up to rain and thunder
150) sunset reflecting off of waves
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 1 Corinthians 10:26
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
WFMW: Audio Bible
I have a hard time making myself sit down and read my Bible. It's not that I mind once I start, it's the getting started thing that throws me. Recently I downloaded the whole New Testament for FREE! I ordered a Biblestick (the New Testament in Audio put onto a little mp3 type player that is the size of a small pack fo gum). I plan on walking around our local arboreteum and listening to it. However, it has been raining so I've been using my computer downloaded one a lot.
I downloaded the drama version because it is just fun to listen to! For example, on the story about Jesus falling asleep in the boat during the big storm you hear waves crashing and the wind howling in the background. They also have a kid one you can download that is SUPER cute becuase they added songs.
I've found it SO easy to just start it whenever I'm on my computer. I have to remember what chapter I left off on but that's not to bad. The only thing that is sort of weird is that two of my chapters now have decided not to work, I'm not sure if it's them or me. Either way, it was FREE, so, really, can I complain?
Here is the website, it worked for me, I'm sure it can work for you, too! www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/ambassador/free-audio-bible-download
Check out Kristen at www.wearethatfamily.com for more WFMW tips!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
the beginning of goodbye
We pull into the small and always full parking lot. Walk through the main door into the reception area, sign in on a clip board, write names on name tags. Walk past the table with coffee and tea, turn right and walk up the hall. Walk past parakeets in bird cages, nurse stations, elderly in wheelchairs. There's the smell. A faint mixture of cleaner, soiled sheets, and hospital food. We reach the big room with the tv, weave through the wheel chairs and reach her room.
We look into the three bed room, look at the bed closet to the door.
"She's not here." I tell boyfriend at my side.
We peak in the room further and see her, sitting at the window. Sunlight streaming through snow white hair. Beautiful, skin stretched hands, folded in her lap.
We approach quietly. She's sleeping. Undoubtedly tired from therapy. Therapy that is supposed to help her hip heal, help her to be able to walk again, lead a somewhat independent life again. Therapy that I feel is exhausting her, weakening not only her body, but her mind.
We stand quietly, boyfriend and I, watching her rest. So peaceful. Sun kissing her face, warming her wrinkled skin.
He rubs her arm gently and after a little coaxing she slips from sleep into awareness, but not completely.
I look at a woman who has raised all boys, been happily married for over 50 years, been active in her church and card groups and lived independently until the fall sitting in her wheel chair, seeming so small and fragile. I am watching a body and a mind deteriorate. Tired after serving her so well for 93 years. Struggling to continue, to fight, to heal.
We talk with her for a couple of minutes, "how was therapy?", "did you hear the rain last night?", "have you had lunch?" She answers and asks a couple of questions of her own, but it is obvious that she is exhausted. We stand quietly with her, boyfriend mouths and asks if I'm ready to go. I shrug and give a nod, signaling that I'm ready whenever he is.
He tells her that we are going to leave and you can tell she is ready to rest. I watch as the love of my life leans his 6" frame down to hug his Great Grandma. He hugs her long and I wonder, "does he feel it too? this sense that there may not be much time left." They embrace and I see years of love quietly being spoken with absolutely no words.
I hug her and tell her what I always do, "We'll be back." Because we will.
Again I am amazed with the strength left in her hug and my heart hopes.
She tells me she loves me as we embrace. I tell her we love her, too. Because we do.
This woman with whom I have no blood connection, no marital link, someone who three years ago I would have never known existed, I love her.
My heart hurts for my boyfriend as we leave, because how do you start to say goodbye?
We look into the three bed room, look at the bed closet to the door.
"She's not here." I tell boyfriend at my side.
We peak in the room further and see her, sitting at the window. Sunlight streaming through snow white hair. Beautiful, skin stretched hands, folded in her lap.
We approach quietly. She's sleeping. Undoubtedly tired from therapy. Therapy that is supposed to help her hip heal, help her to be able to walk again, lead a somewhat independent life again. Therapy that I feel is exhausting her, weakening not only her body, but her mind.
We stand quietly, boyfriend and I, watching her rest. So peaceful. Sun kissing her face, warming her wrinkled skin.
He rubs her arm gently and after a little coaxing she slips from sleep into awareness, but not completely.
I look at a woman who has raised all boys, been happily married for over 50 years, been active in her church and card groups and lived independently until the fall sitting in her wheel chair, seeming so small and fragile. I am watching a body and a mind deteriorate. Tired after serving her so well for 93 years. Struggling to continue, to fight, to heal.
We talk with her for a couple of minutes, "how was therapy?", "did you hear the rain last night?", "have you had lunch?" She answers and asks a couple of questions of her own, but it is obvious that she is exhausted. We stand quietly with her, boyfriend mouths and asks if I'm ready to go. I shrug and give a nod, signaling that I'm ready whenever he is.
He tells her that we are going to leave and you can tell she is ready to rest. I watch as the love of my life leans his 6" frame down to hug his Great Grandma. He hugs her long and I wonder, "does he feel it too? this sense that there may not be much time left." They embrace and I see years of love quietly being spoken with absolutely no words.
I hug her and tell her what I always do, "We'll be back." Because we will.
Again I am amazed with the strength left in her hug and my heart hopes.
She tells me she loves me as we embrace. I tell her we love her, too. Because we do.
This woman with whom I have no blood connection, no marital link, someone who three years ago I would have never known existed, I love her.
My heart hurts for my boyfriend as we leave, because how do you start to say goodbye?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
WFMW: clean bachlorette party
It's a backwards themed works for me Wednesday today, which means I get to ask a question and other people tell how what works for them.
So, here's my questions: What are some good ideas for a clean bachlorette party. My girlfriend is getting married in June and there are 7 bridesmaids other than I. I have a couple of ideas but I was wondering what other people have done that is just good clean fun! Everyone present (to my knowledge) will be christian as well so if you have anything neat that incoroporates the faith that would be awesome too! Looking forward to ideas!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
sitting shiva
There have been very few times in my short 21 years of life where I have felt like mourning. Indeed, there are only twice that I can count. The first was when my Grandma died. The second was yesterday. Due to confidentiality reasons I cannot explain myself, I can only state that it pertains to the little boy that I worked with.
Sometimes, when somthing horrible happens, you don't need people to try to make it all make sense. In fact, that's often the worst thing I think a person can do. I think God knew that.
There is a Jewish tradition that occurs when someone dies. It is called shiva. It is a mourning period of seven days. During those seven days the family who lost someone sits shiva. They do not cook. They do not go to work. They run no errands. Mirrors are covered. They sit low to the ground, or on the ground itself. Family stays in the home of the loved one who died, or, if that is not possible, someone else's home.
During those seven days of sitting shiva extended family members and friends come to comfort those who are grieving. Typical procedure is for the friend to knock softly on the door so as not to startle the family and then let themselves in. The visitor is not welcomed in, offered no food or drink, and not walked to the door. The family that is in mourning is there to simply mourn, not to play host or hostess. The visitor approaches the family quietly, and then takes a seat among them, saying nothing. If the grieving family feels like talking, they initiate conversation and the visitor can then respond. However, in Jewish custom, it is not ok to say things like, "God knew what He was doing", "at least they lived a long life", "I know how you feel", or "it will get better."
And I think that's a beautiful thing. Because when you are truely in mourning the best thing that someone can say to you is, "I'm so sorry, that really sucks."
I am grateful for my family and friends who understand these concepts. Who instead of trying to distract or comfort with common phrases will simply sit, and be still, and mourn with me.
Sometimes, when somthing horrible happens, you don't need people to try to make it all make sense. In fact, that's often the worst thing I think a person can do. I think God knew that.
There is a Jewish tradition that occurs when someone dies. It is called shiva. It is a mourning period of seven days. During those seven days the family who lost someone sits shiva. They do not cook. They do not go to work. They run no errands. Mirrors are covered. They sit low to the ground, or on the ground itself. Family stays in the home of the loved one who died, or, if that is not possible, someone else's home.
During those seven days of sitting shiva extended family members and friends come to comfort those who are grieving. Typical procedure is for the friend to knock softly on the door so as not to startle the family and then let themselves in. The visitor is not welcomed in, offered no food or drink, and not walked to the door. The family that is in mourning is there to simply mourn, not to play host or hostess. The visitor approaches the family quietly, and then takes a seat among them, saying nothing. If the grieving family feels like talking, they initiate conversation and the visitor can then respond. However, in Jewish custom, it is not ok to say things like, "God knew what He was doing", "at least they lived a long life", "I know how you feel", or "it will get better."
And I think that's a beautiful thing. Because when you are truely in mourning the best thing that someone can say to you is, "I'm so sorry, that really sucks."
I am grateful for my family and friends who understand these concepts. Who instead of trying to distract or comfort with common phrases will simply sit, and be still, and mourn with me.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
It's a new year. A new chapter of my life. As I sat on my couch not feeling the greatest last night I was thinking about 2009. I tried to come up with one word that would sum up that year. Quite sadly, the biggest thing I thought of was, "stats class." This year I strive for more. This year I dub the year of pursuing holiness.
I've taken a couple of sign language classes and the word holy in sign language is two different words combined. They were a modified version of the sign for good and then the sign for clean. I loved taking sign language because you get such a beautiful picture when you know how each of the signs are made.
Holy. Good. Clean. And is that not what I have been called to? "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. For it is written, 'Be holy for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:15-16
It has been on my mind a lot lately, this idea that there is such a thing as being "to pure" or "to holy." On the one hand, you do not want your desire for purity and holiness to become legalistic, however, on the other hand when our ultimate goal is to be as the Father can you ever really be "to holy?"
I think that often times I look at the bar that the world has set and I hover right above that bar. I then feel good about myself, because look, I'm not where they are. Then I look up. Way up. And I see the bar that God has set. And I realize that I had it wrong all along. The goal is not to stay hovering above the worlds bar. The goal is to be climbing, stretching, reaching, constantly to be as close to God's bar as I can be. Will I ever get there? No, not in this life time. I am human. I err. God does not. Does that mean I shouldn't try? No. I need to strive, to reach, to stretch, to grow.
So this year I pursue holiness.
Holy: in the way that I use my money. "Then you shall say before the Lord yoru God, 'I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandments which you have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them." Deut 26:13
Holy: in my mind and thought. "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2
Holy: in my interactions with my boyfriend. "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside his body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor 6:18-20
Holy: before God. "just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love..." Ephesians 1:4
Holy: in my actions. "As obediant children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:14-16
Our Bible study is going throught the book, "The Pursuit of Holiness" and I highly recomend it.
Join me, will you, in pursuing holiness this year?
I've taken a couple of sign language classes and the word holy in sign language is two different words combined. They were a modified version of the sign for good and then the sign for clean. I loved taking sign language because you get such a beautiful picture when you know how each of the signs are made.
Holy. Good. Clean. And is that not what I have been called to? "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. For it is written, 'Be holy for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:15-16
It has been on my mind a lot lately, this idea that there is such a thing as being "to pure" or "to holy." On the one hand, you do not want your desire for purity and holiness to become legalistic, however, on the other hand when our ultimate goal is to be as the Father can you ever really be "to holy?"
I think that often times I look at the bar that the world has set and I hover right above that bar. I then feel good about myself, because look, I'm not where they are. Then I look up. Way up. And I see the bar that God has set. And I realize that I had it wrong all along. The goal is not to stay hovering above the worlds bar. The goal is to be climbing, stretching, reaching, constantly to be as close to God's bar as I can be. Will I ever get there? No, not in this life time. I am human. I err. God does not. Does that mean I shouldn't try? No. I need to strive, to reach, to stretch, to grow.
So this year I pursue holiness.
Holy: in the way that I use my money. "Then you shall say before the Lord yoru God, 'I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandments which you have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them." Deut 26:13
Holy: in my mind and thought. "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2
Holy: in my interactions with my boyfriend. "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside his body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor 6:18-20
Holy: before God. "just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love..." Ephesians 1:4
Holy: in my actions. "As obediant children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:14-16
Our Bible study is going throught the book, "The Pursuit of Holiness" and I highly recomend it.
Join me, will you, in pursuing holiness this year?
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