This totally "found" me today...
Other People's Music: Exprayeriment.: Today, I decided to try an experiment. Of prayer. An exprayeriment. (I also can't resist making entirely ridiculous words out of existing o...
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Duty Calls
I have been released from jury duty. It was anti-climactic. That sense of not wanting my life to be interrupted by this annoying civic duty was contrasted with an excitement at an opportunity to participate in this fascinating process. I've only been called once before (in Reno) and was released then, as well. I've never even been asked any questions. My number doesn't get called and I get sent home.
In comparing my two experiences, I have to say that Harris County has a much nicer set up than Washoe (although it might have actually been a federal jury I was called for in Reno; I can't remember). The waiting all takes place underground. I couldn't get a signal on my cell phone and when I tried to access the Free WiFi, I could connect, but had no internet access. And yet there were people who looked to be using smart phones, tablets and laptops, so maybe I was just in a hole or something. I probably could have gotten some work done, if I'd had internet, but alas, no luck. :) So I tried to work on my memory verses and watch people. It was a nice change in the routine.
In comparing my two experiences, I have to say that Harris County has a much nicer set up than Washoe (although it might have actually been a federal jury I was called for in Reno; I can't remember). The waiting all takes place underground. I couldn't get a signal on my cell phone and when I tried to access the Free WiFi, I could connect, but had no internet access. And yet there were people who looked to be using smart phones, tablets and laptops, so maybe I was just in a hole or something. I probably could have gotten some work done, if I'd had internet, but alas, no luck. :) So I tried to work on my memory verses and watch people. It was a nice change in the routine.
The main thing I remember from Reno was that I was wearing those knee-high stockings with my pants. About an hour into sitting there, I recognized that one was black and one was tan. I really shouldn't dress in the dark. I think I managed to get them off and into my purse with no one noticing. Sure. This time I wore socks - white - both - double-checked.
It's pretty cool that you can get a free bus pass for the day with your jury summons. So Mike dropped me off and then when we got released I caught the bus back. Very convenient and saved the $6 for parking. They also had a little coffee counter and a pretty good selection of vending machines. My guess is they call about 2500 people per session, about half show and then another couple hundred claim exemptions or are disqualified onsite. So my room was around 300 people, and probably about 80 of us got released without even going to a courtroom. I had plenty of people to watch.
It's fun to watch people. It was really an interesting mix of folks:
Talkers
Too cool
Shy
Know-it-alls
Harried
Dazed and confused
Techno-geeks
Suits
Slobs
"Important"
Pearls
Hoodies
Experienced
Newbies
Take charge
Paper Books
Kindles
Houston Chronicle
New York Times
Ear buds
Hobbling
Belligerent
Large
Small
Good-Humored
Quiet
Can't sit still
Fascinating, Truly.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Ecuador
This week there's a group of bloggers visiting Ecuador with Compassion and blogging about their experiences. Two of the bloggers I follow regularly and the others I might start! It's already been very moving to read their first few articles. And incredibly interesting to get the different perspectives from such very different "voices".
If you're interested or slightly curious, just click the Ecuador picture up in the right hand corner to go to the blog roll on Compassion's website. Highly recommended.
Oh, and does anyone know why I can't ever get a cake out of a bundt pan in one piece? I'm greasing it up plenty. Too much? Should I be flouring the pan, too? Or maybe I'm not baking it long enough or hot enough?
 |
| Ximena |
I sponsor a child (Ximena) from Ecuador through Compassion International. I've been doing this for a couple of years now. I picked Ecuador because it's a place I hope someday to visit. Mike went on a summer mission to HCJB in Quito when he was in college (LONG time ago - I was preparing for Kindergarten at the time). Anyway, he really has a heart for Ecuador and would love to go back.
This week there's a group of bloggers visiting Ecuador with Compassion and blogging about their experiences. Two of the bloggers I follow regularly and the others I might start! It's already been very moving to read their first few articles. And incredibly interesting to get the different perspectives from such very different "voices".
If you're interested or slightly curious, just click the Ecuador picture up in the right hand corner to go to the blog roll on Compassion's website. Highly recommended.
Oh, and does anyone know why I can't ever get a cake out of a bundt pan in one piece? I'm greasing it up plenty. Too much? Should I be flouring the pan, too? Or maybe I'm not baking it long enough or hot enough?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Back on Track
Mike and I met again with our friend at First Baptist, and came away feeling pretty good overall. He was very enthusiastic and encouraging. Says we are a match made in heaven (whudda thunk?); I do admit I'm rather fond of Michael.
Anyhoo, what we needed was someone to tell us we weren't off-track. And we got that. Mike feels reassured that not only is he moving in a good direction, but that our past experiences are not as much a jumble as we thought. More of an expression of who we are - a positive thing, not a negative thing. It really feels good to be told that it's ok to be who we are - that this is what God is doing with us. We can relax a little and enjoy the ride.
Relax A LITTLE. Mike is still looking for a job - a career even. Still going to seminary (and loving it). And we're still hanging on by the skin of our teeth. But we're breathing again. And it's good.
Oh, by the way, as much as we enjoyed Bayou City Fellowship, we're back at First Baptist. For this season of our lives we are needing what this church can give as well as what we can give to this church. It's a much better fit. That being said, our buddy had some recommendations as to where we can participate at First and really grow and serve. It's exciting!
However, this weekend Mom and I are going to the White Oak Baptist Ladies Retreat in Round Top, TX. (So I like a lot of churches - big deal!) I'm very much looking forward to spending the weekend with these ladies, and even more so with my Momma!
Here's a picture I took last year. The place is beautiful! Looking forward to a fun and refreshing weekend away. Now more laundry and then packing tomorrow...
Anyhoo, what we needed was someone to tell us we weren't off-track. And we got that. Mike feels reassured that not only is he moving in a good direction, but that our past experiences are not as much a jumble as we thought. More of an expression of who we are - a positive thing, not a negative thing. It really feels good to be told that it's ok to be who we are - that this is what God is doing with us. We can relax a little and enjoy the ride.
Relax A LITTLE. Mike is still looking for a job - a career even. Still going to seminary (and loving it). And we're still hanging on by the skin of our teeth. But we're breathing again. And it's good.
Oh, by the way, as much as we enjoyed Bayou City Fellowship, we're back at First Baptist. For this season of our lives we are needing what this church can give as well as what we can give to this church. It's a much better fit. That being said, our buddy had some recommendations as to where we can participate at First and really grow and serve. It's exciting!
However, this weekend Mom and I are going to the White Oak Baptist Ladies Retreat in Round Top, TX. (So I like a lot of churches - big deal!) I'm very much looking forward to spending the weekend with these ladies, and even more so with my Momma!
Here's a picture I took last year. The place is beautiful! Looking forward to a fun and refreshing weekend away. Now more laundry and then packing tomorrow...
Saturday, November 5, 2011
I hate cleaning, but I love things to be clean
I'm not a great housekeeper. It's not like I don't have time; I just don't have the energy. I know people who are just tireless. They work all day, pick up and transport kids everywhere, volunteer on countless committees, do the church thing, party with friends and attend cultural and sporting events, and still cook, clean, pay bills, blah, blah, blah. I work all day. Whew.
So if I get behind in the housecleaning, I REALLY get behind in the housecleaning. Things get a little dusty or cluttered and I give up. I get so overwhelmed with all that needs doing, that I don't do anything, so it gets worse and worse. And then I start to feel guilty and miserable and ashamed. My failure stares me in the face from every direction. (Does that phrase make sense? If something is staring in my face, it's not from every direction is it? It's probably right in front of me. How about, "My failure shouts at me from every direction." That makes more sense.)
And finally, I can't take it anymore, and the cleaning begins. It's therapeutic really. There is so much in life that I have no control over, but I can get the dust off the chachkies in this bookcase.
So on Thursday I spent the evening cleaning a 5' x 10' space in the living room that houses the entertainment center, a little impromptu desk for the &$$#%* Mac computer and the wall clock. I cleaned everything on every shelf. Did some rearranging. Threw some stuff away. It felt great. It looks so good. Dust free bobbleheads!
Friday was a hard day. There were issues. So I cleaned the hearth and the mantel (and everything that lives there). This time I had an audience. We were actually talking through some stuff (and watching t.v.) while I was cleaning and making dinner all at the same time.
"Is this making you feel better?" Mike asks, while I've got all the items off the mantel and lined up around me on the floor.
"Yes," I said.
Then I sat back and felt better. A LOT better. It's weird how tidiness soothes me. Even today, I can just sit here on the couch and look at the front of the room and the fireplace, and I feel good. Not that I did that ALL day. I actually cleaned the bathroom today. That room was disgusting.
I don't know why I just can't keep the place clean all the time. Why do I put myself through this? Now I'm ready to do some laundry. Maybe tomorrow I'll get the kitchen clean (ish) ...
So if I get behind in the housecleaning, I REALLY get behind in the housecleaning. Things get a little dusty or cluttered and I give up. I get so overwhelmed with all that needs doing, that I don't do anything, so it gets worse and worse. And then I start to feel guilty and miserable and ashamed. My failure stares me in the face from every direction. (Does that phrase make sense? If something is staring in my face, it's not from every direction is it? It's probably right in front of me. How about, "My failure shouts at me from every direction." That makes more sense.)
And finally, I can't take it anymore, and the cleaning begins. It's therapeutic really. There is so much in life that I have no control over, but I can get the dust off the chachkies in this bookcase.
So on Thursday I spent the evening cleaning a 5' x 10' space in the living room that houses the entertainment center, a little impromptu desk for the &$$#%* Mac computer and the wall clock. I cleaned everything on every shelf. Did some rearranging. Threw some stuff away. It felt great. It looks so good. Dust free bobbleheads!
Friday was a hard day. There were issues. So I cleaned the hearth and the mantel (and everything that lives there). This time I had an audience. We were actually talking through some stuff (and watching t.v.) while I was cleaning and making dinner all at the same time.
"Is this making you feel better?" Mike asks, while I've got all the items off the mantel and lined up around me on the floor.
"Yes," I said.
"OK," was his response. I think he was a little wary because I happened to be holding the shotgun at the time. It's just a prop, but I think it looks good up there.
I did the full on clean, too. Dusted everything. All the glass got run through a vinegar rinse, and I scrubbed down the tile. I even re-glued the little jewelly things that had popped off the planter boxes.
Then I sat back and felt better. A LOT better. It's weird how tidiness soothes me. Even today, I can just sit here on the couch and look at the front of the room and the fireplace, and I feel good. Not that I did that ALL day. I actually cleaned the bathroom today. That room was disgusting.
I don't know why I just can't keep the place clean all the time. Why do I put myself through this? Now I'm ready to do some laundry. Maybe tomorrow I'll get the kitchen clean (ish) ...
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
What to do...what to do...
OK. So I've been hung up on Spiritual gifts for a while. I've taken SHAPE classes and done DiSC tests. I've read books (even the Bible!). I'm still unclear on what makes a gift Spiritual. And how you're supposed to know if it's Spiritual or just genetic or something. Be that as it may, I do believe that I have the gift of Administration. Exciting, huh?
Last week Mike and I met with a person at First Baptist to try to gain some insight into our life. We've been drifting for some time, waiting for something, but not sure what. And we know we have a tendency to have blind spots, so we were looking for some help. Turns out our very good listener friend thinks we should look at our gifts, talents, abilities, etc to help us grasp what God is doing in us and with us.
Of course, I've already taken the assessment (a couple of months ago, in fact), but Mike hadn't done this one before. So Mike did his yesterday. (It was supposed to take about 45 minutes, but it took Mike over three hours. Does this tell you anything about our indecisiveness?) Now we're trying to figure out what this means (on our own because our friend is out-of-pocket for a week or so). We haven't come up with much, but I always find it a fascinating exercise.
Basically it looks like Mike is schizophrenic and I'm OCD. I'm thinking we'll make a followup appointment with our new friend as soon as possible.
We're both big on "helps" - Mike more in a mentoring/discipling kind of way; I'm more of a behind-the-scenes organizer. I certainly can see all kinds of places the two of us could participate, but what we desire is to make it a full-time commitment, not just a weekend hobby. The hard part has been convincing anyone else. And it's not like we're independently wealthy - we'd need to make some money doing it, too. So are we headed for disappointment? Are we doomed to be ministry wannabees?
We'll see.
Oh, have I mentioned "The Sing Off" is on again? Love it!!!
Last week Mike and I met with a person at First Baptist to try to gain some insight into our life. We've been drifting for some time, waiting for something, but not sure what. And we know we have a tendency to have blind spots, so we were looking for some help. Turns out our very good listener friend thinks we should look at our gifts, talents, abilities, etc to help us grasp what God is doing in us and with us.
Of course, I've already taken the assessment (a couple of months ago, in fact), but Mike hadn't done this one before. So Mike did his yesterday. (It was supposed to take about 45 minutes, but it took Mike over three hours. Does this tell you anything about our indecisiveness?) Now we're trying to figure out what this means (on our own because our friend is out-of-pocket for a week or so). We haven't come up with much, but I always find it a fascinating exercise.
Basically it looks like Mike is schizophrenic and I'm OCD. I'm thinking we'll make a followup appointment with our new friend as soon as possible.
We're both big on "helps" - Mike more in a mentoring/discipling kind of way; I'm more of a behind-the-scenes organizer. I certainly can see all kinds of places the two of us could participate, but what we desire is to make it a full-time commitment, not just a weekend hobby. The hard part has been convincing anyone else. And it's not like we're independently wealthy - we'd need to make some money doing it, too. So are we headed for disappointment? Are we doomed to be ministry wannabees?
We'll see.
Oh, have I mentioned "The Sing Off" is on again? Love it!!!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Not a fan
I've been moonlighting at the TUTS gift shop going on four seasons now. I only work the shows that are self-produced, so it can be two - four shows a year. I've always enjoyed it both for the extra cash and for the chance to be near the theater again. I often think as a show draws near that this may be my last one. It's two weeks of 12 hour days (because I still have my "real" job) with no weekend break. But then I do it again, and although I'm completely exhausted and out-of-the-loop when the two weeks are up, I have a blast!
I used to be all about the theater - music theater was my major at ASU. But I'm coming to realize that I much preferred doing theater. In other words, I'm not really an avid fan. I certainly enjoy watching, but I have never been someone to "follow" theater. I don't usually watch the Tony awards. I don't know the latest shows running on Broadway, or who the big names are, or what will be touring when.
In fact, there are many things I enjoy but I guess I'm not really a fan because I don't stay on top of what's happening. Things like music. I love to sing. I enjoy music, but I don't download MP3's, or follow artists on twitter or facebook, or get newsletters, or go to concerts or even regularly turn on the radio.
I like sports. I play fantasy sports. But I don't pay that much attention in the off-season. I don't remember who was in the playoffs from year to year. Or who played for whom and when. I like tv and movies - but I don't check the entertainment news and blogs every day to see what's in the works or who is dating or divorcing or even care. I do care about politics and the direction our country is going; then again I didn't know anything about the Occupy Wall Street protests until yesterday.
Is this normal?
I used to be all about the theater - music theater was my major at ASU. But I'm coming to realize that I much preferred doing theater. In other words, I'm not really an avid fan. I certainly enjoy watching, but I have never been someone to "follow" theater. I don't usually watch the Tony awards. I don't know the latest shows running on Broadway, or who the big names are, or what will be touring when.
In fact, there are many things I enjoy but I guess I'm not really a fan because I don't stay on top of what's happening. Things like music. I love to sing. I enjoy music, but I don't download MP3's, or follow artists on twitter or facebook, or get newsletters, or go to concerts or even regularly turn on the radio.
I like sports. I play fantasy sports. But I don't pay that much attention in the off-season. I don't remember who was in the playoffs from year to year. Or who played for whom and when. I like tv and movies - but I don't check the entertainment news and blogs every day to see what's in the works or who is dating or divorcing or even care. I do care about politics and the direction our country is going; then again I didn't know anything about the Occupy Wall Street protests until yesterday.
Is this normal?
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