Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 11...

We are now at Day 11 of Micah being gone. He is in Swaziland, Africa. I have not blogged about it thus far because, well... who knows who reads this, and would have come to try and steal my ultra-valuable gems and such. HA! In reality, any freak entertaining that thought should know, I pack a loaded 9mm and know how to shoot it. Accurately too, I might add.

No matter though, by the time anyone reads this my Micah will be back, and I will be very glad. I was also glad to have sent him though. Why? Well, it was not just so I could eat cheese puffs and fruity pebbles for dinner. (although that did in fact, occur). I was excited for him to experience the reality of those at the carepoint our church sponsors. We (our church, that is) work with Hopechest, and not only sponsor the kids individually, we will make visits there, help plan out a more permanent kitchen for meal prep, a well, etc.

I knew from the first skype call that God was moving in Micah's heart. He used the words, "gut wrenching" and "amazing" alot. He said the thing that struck him most was seeing these kids, who often get only one meal a day, with these huge smiles, and just so full of happiness. Then you look down and see, tattered clothes, literally thread bare. Barefeet with healing wounds, and on some, scars from burns, or neglected injuries. YET... these children smile.

I thought of my own kids who have cried over missing a toy, or not getting dessert. Then I thought of myself, having a pity party because I can't get my way, or walking to a closet so bloated with like new clothes, and saying, "Well, I have nothing to wear". Talk about SHAME. I am ashamed at how ungrateful I am.

Now, lest you say, this is a knee jerk reaction to extreme poverty, I say WHAT IF?

What If... We didn't complain about our clothes but were thankful to have them? Glad they covered our whole bodies and were hole free and actually clean?
What If... we opened our fridge and looked at the food inside and said, "THANK YOU LORD!" Even if our favorites were not on the shelf?
What If... we stopped thinking about ME ME ME and thought about THEM THEM THEM?

You don't have to go Africa to help people in need. Talk to your aging neighbor who is lonely. Make a meal for the single mom who is going it alone and is too tired to cook after a long day. Give some extra food to a food bank, and eat a little less this week. Talk to that mom who seems to be extra chatty at the park, even if it messes up your afternoon plans.
When I say "you"... I mean ME! I need to do these things. Please make no mistake. I am talking to myself here... I am the moron with so many shoes she can't pick which ones to wear. I am the neighbor who would rather keep to herself than give up my time to listen to an old lady talk about her warts and dentures. I am the girl looking at her watch instead of engaging that mom at the park. I am the glutton who ate until her belly was too full at dinner this week, and threw out leftovers.

I am one who wants to know... What if?
Are you?

Can you please think about it for a moment? And maybe, maybe you are better at this than me and so many others. If so, encourage us as we try to live a better, more GRATEFUL existence. Rebuke me when I whine, chastise me when I waste, challenge me when I plateau, and encourage me when I think I cannot do it.

Oh folks... WHAT IF???

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hello List of Random Facts... my old faithful friend.

***Well, I just popped in here to update my blog and found this post from a few weeks ago, never published! I blame Micah. Now that I am a pastor's wife, I make him edit before I publish. So, if there is anything offensive in this post, blame him, the "rev".) ***


When one realizes they have once AGAIN failed to update their blog, one can always go to the "Random List of Facts and Observations". I like the list. It's convenient, doesn't necessarily need to make sense, and best of all, you can make it as long or as short as you want. So here is a list of one random fact. Just kidding. There will be more than one, and they will most certainly be random, as my brain capacity diminishes every time I am forced to ask "who didn't flush the toilet again?".


1. This weekend was very important. All because of one word. EMPTY is that word, and that one word, and the fact of what it means, have made my life more FULL than I ever thought possible. Empty, full. Thank you Jesus.


2. Last week was also a tad important as a certain chattykathy with red hair who lives in this house had a birthday. It was me! Good guess. I asked Micah for NOTHING since I am saving my pennies for a speedlite. He came home with chinese, wine, and a potted plant. Smart man. Especially after he started the day with a jab at me being old... 9 months, the man is NINE months younger than me and you'd think I picked him up at preschool or something...


3. I am happy to report that my friend, JMac, as mentioned 2 posts ago in reference to Trader Joes, she did in fact take that mammoth "hint" and picked me up all my favorite goodies on her last trip there. I love that girl and her ability to pick up on my subtle ways. Its like she is a mind reader or something...


4. After getting my TJs goodies I discovered... take the sinfully good lemon curd, add in fresh strawberries and a wee bit of fat free cool whip and I call that dinner. (and breakfast and lunch too actually). Also, my friend Kate and I could probably eat a whole jar of it this way, and I truly think, at some point we shall do just that.


5. I tilled my garden today and I really smelled like gasoline. And sweat. And dirt. I must be part farmer because I kind of liked it.


6. I cooked a whole chicken last week, beer can up its little butt style. I did not eat any of said chicken. You want to know why? I took out the beer can, and there were little bits of corn inside the chicken. That's when it hit me... corn is what chickens eat, this is like, chicken poop. I have kids, I know what goes in as corn, comes out as corn. Who the heck is in charge of the corny chicken butt removal department at Perdue anyway? I will likely never cook a whole chicken again because of this incident.


7. I am craving asparagus. With balsamic vinegar and feta. I am now accessing your worth as a person based on how much you are drooling right now. No drool= we will never be close. Little drool= we can meet in the middle. Lots of drool= pull up a chair and have a seat, there is more salt 'n vinegar talk where that came from.


8. I made Micah take pictures with me Saturday. I am finding out, my Micah hates being made to sit in the lawn and take flickr worthy photos. he literally said, "What if the neighbors see us? We will look so weird." Really? The neighbor who just rode a child's mini motorcycle to his front yard to sell? Followed by a golf cart? This is who you are worried about? Whatever..." I said, "park it in the grass and smile pal... "


9. I took pictures of Alden in a little white bodysuit a couple weeks ago. Why??? Well, a) he looked cute b) he was also wearing a tie-dye, and everyone knows, Jude ♥s tie dye, and c) I realized that warm weather was coming and it was probably the last time my last baby would ever wear a little white baby bodysuit. I am not even going to sugar coat the bawling that followed that photo op. (micah remains steadfast in his no more babies stance, I am wavering, ever so slightly, but it takes two to dance that tango so... )


10. I cannot tell a lie. I have watched the first three episodes of Jerseylicious. I am ashamed, but the hair stylist in me cannot look away. I mean, there are almost no words... except for these: Less Makeup. (ps I think the show is really shot on days when that salon is closed too, no one, at least no one sane, would ever let those people actually do their hair.)

The End.
Oh, and thanks to blogspots weirdo photo spacing issuing, no photos. Apologies.