The one year challenge begins in the morning, November 1, 2006. If you want to join in, you are welcome! I won't comment much on this blog about this, except to mark my progress occasionally. I am using the Tyndale One Year Bible, New Living Translation for this journey. I have been reading it for the last couple of days and I must admit it is very easy to complete the reading when everything is already laid out for you. If you don't have access to this particular bible but would like to follow along, check out the one year bible blog. You will find the passages to be read there. I hope you join me!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
One Year Begins
The one year challenge begins in the morning, November 1, 2006. If you want to join in, you are welcome! I won't comment much on this blog about this, except to mark my progress occasionally. I am using the Tyndale One Year Bible, New Living Translation for this journey. I have been reading it for the last couple of days and I must admit it is very easy to complete the reading when everything is already laid out for you. If you don't have access to this particular bible but would like to follow along, check out the one year bible blog. You will find the passages to be read there. I hope you join me!
Hallow--Boring!! And a Contest, of sorts.
Yes, it is that time of year again. There is a crisp nip in the air, it gets dark earlier, and small children walk from door-to-door asking strangers for candy. Why do we do this? I am seriously not feeling this whole halloween thing. A friend of mine gave this holiday the biblical attention it deserves here, so if you want something sound regarding this holiday you'll be happier reading what she has to say.
I simply want to whine. Don't get me wrong. I like dressing up in silly costumes just as much as the next guy. Maybe even more than the next guy. Since I've never met the next guy, though, I can't say for sure. What I can say is I am not happy with the candy issue. Is it me or does this feel a bit like extortion to anyone else? I did not plan on having piles of candy in my home, just waiting to hand to a stranger at the door. As I was returning from work, however, I started thinking. Things always go wrong when I start to think.
If I don't have candy, I'll have to leave the porch light off. Then the entire neighborhood will know I am not participating in this annual event. I could have my front door silly-stringed. It happened one halloween a couple of years ago when we spent the evening at our church "fall festival" event, handing out candy there. But the people who came to our door just thought we were cheapskates and joykills and I still have blue string stuck to the wood in my front door! Besides, I don't want to be the house everyone points at and says, "See that house? Those are the mean people who didn't have candy at halloween!" That kind of reputation can take YEARS to live down! I don't want to be the bad guy of the neighborhood and I don't want to clean egg off my front door, so I turned into the grocery store on the way home.
I walked out of the store $30 poorer and a bit resentful, but knowing this act was necessary for the preservation of the neighborhood peace. Check out the definition of "extort" and see if you agree with me or not.
In reality, I guess it doesn't really matter what it is. I still have candy to give away. Kit Kats and Peanut Butter Cups, my favorites. Oh. I also bought a big bag of cheap candy for those way-too-old trick-or-treaters who seem to show up around 9pm after their little sisters get home and they are jealous of their divine sugar-filled booty (that's a pirate term, appropriate for such a night, don't you think?). Giving such last-minute candy seekers my special candy would be like casting pearls before swine. Besides, if anyone is getting the leftover kit kats, it's ME!
As a bit of reward for forcing yourself to read all of this, I will share a link to a site I found entertaining. Check out the Top 5 Haunted Places in America. I've been to three of them. My football-shaped "Facing the Giants" refrigerator magnet goes to the first person who can correctly name which three! Sorry, kids, immediate family is disqualified. Love You!
Whether you observe this holiday or not, I wish you peace and safety tonight. And, as we learned from Veggitales, God IS bigger than the boogeyman!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Untitled, Part 1
I couldn't sleep last night, so I tried writing to make myself sleepy. This is what I wrote. I hope you like it. If not, don't tell me!
Ouch! She spun around too fast, caught her hip on the corner of the counter and could already feel the bruise forming. That’s what I get for rushing, she scolded herself. And rushing for what? Her appointment was important, but she was already ahead of schedule. Risking injury was pure silliness. She stopped, took a deep breath and winked at her sweet little girl sitting in the high chair across the room. Baby Sarah’s giggles bubbled through the room as she tried in vain to wink back at her mommy. Soon, mommy Erin was giggling, too. She picked up her cup of tea, sashayed to the dinette and planted a kiss on the forehead of her little angel while she plopped into the seat next to her. Yes, she had a big morning ahead of her, but for now it was just mommy and Sarah sharing dry cereal from the high chair tray.
As soon as the sitter arrived, Erin would be on her way. The nervous tension electrified the room as Erin went over the mental checklist of questions she expected to be asked during this interview. It had been so long since she worked outside the home Erin was a bit concerned about presenting herself in a professional manner. Sure, she had the qualifications for the job, but if she slipped up and tried to straighten the interviewer’s collar or pushed their hair away from their face out of habit, she was a goner. She took a deep breath and practiced her relaxed posture and body language.
The ring of the doorbell awakened her nerves once again. Esther had arrived to watch the baby. Erin opened the door and received an immediate mama-bear-sized hug from one of her favorite people in the world, filling her with peace once again. Sarah took one look at Esther and squealed with delight. She was so lucky to have Esther in her life. A woman with experience raising children who also had the time and desire to help someone else care for their child was a rare find, indeed. When they first met during choir practice at church, Esther and Erin had an immediate connection. After sharing choral music side-by-side for a few weeks, Esther confided in Erin how much she missed holding babies now that her little ones were grown and gone. Erin invited Esther to spoil her precious Sarah whenever she wanted. Soon Sarah began looking for Esther as soon as they entered the church parking lot. Before long Esther was coming for dinner regularly and keeping an eye on Sarah one night a week so Erin could have a night out. They had become a family of sorts.
Raising a child alone is no picnic. That was never part of Erin’s plans when she envisioned their lives together. They loved each other through good times and bad. They took their vows seriously and were committed to each other for life. If it hadn’t been for that one careless moment, Jack would still be here. She missed him so much and could become mired in guilt when she thought about that night if she let herself. She shook herself out of her trance and made the firm decision to move ahead. Besides, Jack had given her the gift of Sarah. She was his legacy. The ache in her heart was somehow easier to bear when she looked into those sweet hazel eyes, just like her father’s.
Now she was behind schedule. Erin grabbed her purse and portfolio, hugged Esther, kissed her baby and dashed out the door. She was on her way to interview for the job that just might bring the stable future she wanted for Sarah. At the last minute she remembered to put on her jacket. Her short sleeved blouse would not be enough. The warm spring weather might not warrant it, but she would rather get through the next couple of hours without having to explain her scars for what seemed like the hundredth time.
to be continued...........maybe.........
Ouch! She spun around too fast, caught her hip on the corner of the counter and could already feel the bruise forming. That’s what I get for rushing, she scolded herself. And rushing for what? Her appointment was important, but she was already ahead of schedule. Risking injury was pure silliness. She stopped, took a deep breath and winked at her sweet little girl sitting in the high chair across the room. Baby Sarah’s giggles bubbled through the room as she tried in vain to wink back at her mommy. Soon, mommy Erin was giggling, too. She picked up her cup of tea, sashayed to the dinette and planted a kiss on the forehead of her little angel while she plopped into the seat next to her. Yes, she had a big morning ahead of her, but for now it was just mommy and Sarah sharing dry cereal from the high chair tray.
As soon as the sitter arrived, Erin would be on her way. The nervous tension electrified the room as Erin went over the mental checklist of questions she expected to be asked during this interview. It had been so long since she worked outside the home Erin was a bit concerned about presenting herself in a professional manner. Sure, she had the qualifications for the job, but if she slipped up and tried to straighten the interviewer’s collar or pushed their hair away from their face out of habit, she was a goner. She took a deep breath and practiced her relaxed posture and body language.
The ring of the doorbell awakened her nerves once again. Esther had arrived to watch the baby. Erin opened the door and received an immediate mama-bear-sized hug from one of her favorite people in the world, filling her with peace once again. Sarah took one look at Esther and squealed with delight. She was so lucky to have Esther in her life. A woman with experience raising children who also had the time and desire to help someone else care for their child was a rare find, indeed. When they first met during choir practice at church, Esther and Erin had an immediate connection. After sharing choral music side-by-side for a few weeks, Esther confided in Erin how much she missed holding babies now that her little ones were grown and gone. Erin invited Esther to spoil her precious Sarah whenever she wanted. Soon Sarah began looking for Esther as soon as they entered the church parking lot. Before long Esther was coming for dinner regularly and keeping an eye on Sarah one night a week so Erin could have a night out. They had become a family of sorts.
Raising a child alone is no picnic. That was never part of Erin’s plans when she envisioned their lives together. They loved each other through good times and bad. They took their vows seriously and were committed to each other for life. If it hadn’t been for that one careless moment, Jack would still be here. She missed him so much and could become mired in guilt when she thought about that night if she let herself. She shook herself out of her trance and made the firm decision to move ahead. Besides, Jack had given her the gift of Sarah. She was his legacy. The ache in her heart was somehow easier to bear when she looked into those sweet hazel eyes, just like her father’s.
Now she was behind schedule. Erin grabbed her purse and portfolio, hugged Esther, kissed her baby and dashed out the door. She was on her way to interview for the job that just might bring the stable future she wanted for Sarah. At the last minute she remembered to put on her jacket. Her short sleeved blouse would not be enough. The warm spring weather might not warrant it, but she would rather get through the next couple of hours without having to explain her scars for what seemed like the hundredth time.
to be continued...........maybe.........
Friday, October 27, 2006
Square Peg, Round Hole
I have come, yet again, to the conclusion that I am a square peg in a world of round holes. Does anyone else feel this way? Can I get a witness??My concise communication style serves me well in a writing environment, but is less than ideal when interacting with real people. Just when I think I’ve got this thing figured out, I loosen up a little bit, open my mouth, and upset someone. Most of the time, I don’t even realize I’ve done anything wrong. Someone asks me to do something, I’ll formulate a plan of action, get confirmation that I am moving in the right direction, and forge ahead. It is the pace of my forging that gets me in trouble. I’m ready to get the show on the road and others are just warming up to the idea that the show needs gettin’ at all!
I wish I could quote a couple of Bible verses here and close with a wise paragraph or two that would wrap this problem up in a neat, pretty package. But, I can’t. The only truths I am definitely sure of are those truths I find in the Word of God. So, when the world, including Christians, make it clear they don’t think I fit in, I go to the Truth.
He made me exactly the way He wanted me to be. Psalm 139:13-14
He watches over me. Psalm 33:18
He expects me to be strong and courageous. Psalm 31:24
I do not need to be discouraged. Psalm 43:5
He is my protector and my shield. 2 Samuel 22:31
He will fill me with joy. Psalm 5:11
If I work hard I will prosper. Proverbs 13:4
He will bless my efforts when they are aimed at honoring Him. Hebrews 6:10-12
He will never stop loving me. Romans 8:38
This seems like a nice place to stop and consider the Truth in God’s Word. Thank you, Father, for being my Rock. He made me square for a reason. I will trust Him.
And I’ll reread Psalm 139.
Time Change Reminder
Make yourself a note to set your clocks back 1 hour on Saturday night! The official time to make the change is 2:00am Sunday morning, October 29. I can never keep this straight - do we gain one hour of sleep or lose one hour of sleep? I know if you don't change your clock and show up for worship service this week, you will get there in time for Sunday School. I think that means we gain one hour. Doesn't it? I am time-challenged!When I was confirming the date for the time change this year, I found this interesting tidbit at about.com. Here it is, FYI....
Daylight Time Ends Oct. 29, Expands in 2007
Love it or loathe it, daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday Oct 29, and next year you can love it or loathe it even longer, as the daylight saving time period will begin earlier and end later for most of the United States.
Daylight saving time is currently observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. As a result of legislation enacted by Congress in 2005, beginning next year daylight saving time will begin the second Sunday of March and end the first Sunday of November. As a result, in 2007, daylight saving time will run from March 11 to Nov. 4.
When daylight saving time ends, clocks should be set back one hour, providing an additional hour of daylight in the morning.
States are not required by law to observe daylight saving time. States that do observe daylight saving time must follow the starting and ending dates set by law. States and U.S. territories that DO NOT observe daylight saving time include: Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. Residents of those locations need not reset their clocks.
Fresh Start
I've changed the url of my blog for the sake of clarity. Welcome to "Singing Like Myself" at http://singinglikemyself.blogspot.com
Back to work!
Back to work!
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