Girls Day Out

My girlfriend, Lori (http://heartofgod.wordpress.com/), who now lives in Texas, just wrote a blog titled: Belly Laughter. The blog is based on a conversation we had a couple of days ago. It was a serious conversation gone south! By the time we hung up the phone I had laughed so hard that my face and stomach were in serious pain. Don't you just love that? It is absolutely true that laughter is the best medicine!

Lori and I have been blessed to have many of those moments. It seems that when we get together, whether on the phone or in person, things just kind of 'happen'. Random things that are usually hysterical....at least to us:) There is one thing in particular that still sends us into a fit of laughter everytime we think about it. I wasn't going to blog about it because I thought it might be a 'you had to be there' thing, but Lori thinks we should share. So, if it's not funny....blame her!

One of the many things that Lori and I have in common is a love for shopping. Her husband would often offer to watch our children on Saturdays so her and I could go to the city and have a 'girls day'. One of our favorite places to go was a large Christian book store named Parables. If you have never been to Parables, then let me set the scene:

Parables is a very peaceful place. It is much like a Christian "Borders". There are tons of books, gifts, and music. ALL of it is Christian. You don't have to worry about having your 'filter' on when you are there. Everybody is friendly and quiet....kind of like a library. We could, literally, spend hours in there. There are chairs for reading, a coffee shop, and Scripture everywhere you turn. I am hoping there is one in Heaven:)

So, one day as Lori and I are standing in the check out line talking about how we really shouldn't be spending this much money at one place, we began to listen to a conversation between two ladies behind us. It wasn't that we were eavesdropping, but the one lady seemed to be quite irritated and began talking a little louder. She was talking about the war. She had a son or nephew or someone close to her in Iraq. Well, here is how the rest of the conversation went (please keep in mind that we are in a CHRISTIAN bookstore):

Lady 1: I used to have one of those yellow ribbon magnets on my car with his name on it.

Lady 2: What happened to it?

Lady 1: Somebody stole it!

Lady 2: You're kidding. That's ridiculous!

Lady 1: I know! Can you believe it? Those Bastards!!!!!!

I will never forget the look on Lori's face as we heard that word! Immediately we began to crack up. We were trying so hard to hold it in because we didn't want the ladies behind us to know we were laughing at them, but we couldn't. Next thing you know Lori and I are doubled over, with tears streaming down our faces, gasping for air. As a matter of fact....I'm starting to chuckle just thinking about it. It was absolutely the last thing you would have expected to hear at Parables. Not that 'bastard' is an awful word. There are plenty that are worse, but when you're in Parables, it's almost like being at church....everyone is on their best behavior. I don't know why....that's just how it is. This lady was just being herself....which is how it should be!

I miss you, friend! I hope God crosses our paths soon. There are plenty more 'belly laughs' awaiting us!!!!

Thankful Thursday

I'm such a copycat! Some of my girlfriends are blogging about things they are thankful for and calling it 'Thankful Thursday'. I am following the mass:) Mine is going to be a little different, though. I can't conform completely! Everyone who knows me...knows that!. I am choosing to write about one thing I am thankful for each Thursday. So today..........

I am thankful for friendships!

I love that I can call my girlfriends (includes my mom and aunt Kathy:) when I am joyful or full of sorrow. I love that they 'give it to me straight'. I love that we can laugh, cry, and get angry......all in the same conversation. I love that I could go for a month or even a year and not talk to some of them, but when we run into each other it's like we haven't been apart. I love the fact that when their hearts are breaking, mine breaks, too and I love that God has carefully chosen each woman to be in my life. I am so grateful to Him!

This blog is for you my sisters! I love you!

4 Seasons, 1 Day

We have a saying in Iowa: If you don't like the weather....wait 5 minutes! I have always chuckled at that because we do have some pretty crazy weather. However, this past Sunday proved that this 'saying' is no longer a 'saying'....it should be our state slogan.

While going to church Sunday morning at 9:30am it was 65 degrees outside. The sun was peeking through the clouds and there was a familiar warmness that screamed SPRING!

After choir practice at 2:30pm the temperature had dropped to about 45 degrees and there was a very chilly wind that screamed WINTER...NOOOOOO! (OK...maybe that was me screaming).

At home, around 5:30pm, there was a flash of light and thunderous boom that was reminiscent of a nice little movie called Twister. Then the skies opened up and the rain began. I had to stop and think...is it March or August?

At small group, around 8:00pm, the rain had stopped and it began to snow! Yes! Snow! Not just flurries, but some of the biggest flakes I have ever seen! Definitely March...NOT August!

I have never used our 'state slogan' before. I guess I am trying to hold on to the last little bit of city girl left in me, but after Sunday.....I'm namin' it and claimin' it! I can't wait to run into a 'foreigner' that is complaining about our weather:)

Cats and Dogs and Rats?...OH MY!

Our winter has been pretty harsh for our area. We have had snow on the ground since November and the temperatures have been quite artic....even for me who happens to love snow and winter. Apparently, it has been too cold for the mice, too as it seems one or more have taken up residence in our home. Can I just say....EWWWW! Although I have not seen them yet, I have definitely heard them and let me tell you......it sounds as if a squirrel has gotten stuck in my walls! I am afraid that my 'mouse' may be a 'rat'.

The easy solution to this problem would be to get a cat. Unfortunately, I already have one. She is so fat she either A) can't run fast enough to catch it/them or B) is already full enough that she isn't interested in 'meals on wheels'. So, I called my dad and asked him to get some traps.

Jordan, my youngest, goes to my folks during the day while I work. She called me while she was there and while we were talking I could hear my mom in the background asking Jordan to let me know that my dad had picked up the traps. It's important to note here that Jordan wants a pet rat. When she heard the word trap she asked me what we needed them for. I was reluctant to tell her as I knew she would want to try to keep this mouse/mice/rat in a cage. However, I couldn't lie to her. So, I told her that we had a mouse/mice/rat and that the traps would be needed to 'take care' of them. This is how the conversation went:

J- "Oh mom! If it's a rat can't I keep it?"

Mom- "No! You cannot keep the rat."

J- "Why? You know I really want one."

Mom- "Yes, I realize you want one, but they have/carry diseases."

J- "Well, Mom, we could just take it to the vet!"


Since my vet bill has become a revolving line of credit due to owning the most needy animals in Southwest Iowa, we will NOT be taking this mouse/rat to the vet. She can add this to the growing list of things I have messed up in her life. Maybe she can put it directly under the time that I refused to let her keep the bat we found in the basement. Her future counselor is going to love her. She is going to need years of therapy!

Going To The Chapel

Jordan has a video game called 'Harvest Moon'. It's a pretty cool game as it allows you to get a feel for what it is like to own a farm, have chores, work for money, etc. Jordan absolutely LOVES this game. Well, one of the challenges in this game is that you have to try to get 'Cliff' to marry you. You have to offer him rings, chocolates, and many other gifts to woo him (yeah, it's a little backwards). Jordan has been trying, for months, to get Cliff to marry her and he finally said 'YES'.

I wish I could begin to describe the excitement on this childs face as she told me she was getting married. Her voice squealed in delight as she made the announcement to anyone and everyone who would listen. She was absolutely 'giddy' and I am not even exaggerating. I couldn't decide if I was happy for her or disturbed because this seemed to be the highlight of her year.

The other day, as I came through the door after work, I was greeted by Jordan who was beaming with excitement:

J- "Guess What!"

Me- "What, sweetie?"
(thinking she had learned something new while schooling and couldn't wait to share it with me)

J- "I had a baby!"

Not exactly what I expected, but close.

Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

My house has been interesting lately. Lot's going on. I wish I could say it was good stuff, but unfortunately.....that hasn't been the case. BUT...God is so GOOD! It seems like every time we are in the midst of a storm He allows the sun to peek through and remind me that He is there.

My 2nd eldest daughter, Amber, has really added turmoil to our home for the past 7 months. Every day seems to bring a new issue. Sunday, things came to a head and finally exploded into a gigantic eruption of emotions, tears, and anger. It was not a good day.....by any means. I felt helpless, lost, and honestly....like a failure. The devil was speaking loud and clear: If you were a better mother, this is all your fault, whatever happens to her...YOU are to blame. You know the voice. The voice that is louder than anyone else...including God's. Fortunately, God's 'still small voice' made it through and I realized I was beginning to buy the lie. I began to devour scripture and of course......the voice, the loudest voice, the most obnoxious voice....was silenced. Don't you just love that? Satan may be able to mess with me, but he cannot mess with the Lord Most High!

Monday night, Samantha, my eldest daughter, called me after work. She wanted to fill me in on her night and let me know that she had been asked out on a date. I asked who the boy was and asked if she was interested. She said 'No'. I don't know the boy well, but he seemed nice, so I asked her why. Her response was the response every Christian parent longs to hear......"He's not walking the walk, mom! He believes in God, but he doesn't love God. I want someone who is involved in church the way that I am." Ahhhhh...it was music to my ears. It was a much needed ray of sunshine that reminded me that all of my efforts are not wasted.

Isn't God just AWESOME? Yeah, I think so, too!

A Change Is Gonna Come

Have you ever felt as if something big was going to happen? Something life changing? Something that is going to move you out of your comfort zone and turn your life upside down? Me, too:)

For about a year now, God has laid something on my heart. I hesitate to share it here because wouldn't the devil love to interfere? I won't give you specifics, but I know this is from God as it is fastly becoming a passion. It consumes my thoughts. It has been a passion before, but I have always brushed it aside using the excuse of "This can't be God. It must be something I want to do".

So, sisters, I ask for your prayers as I begin to lay my desires at His feet, become obedient to His call, and wait for His timing.

I can't wait to share more with you!