Monthly Archives: September 2014

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 Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20

You may remember we surprised Hallie this past March with a dog. It was on her birthday wish list right between an iphone and makeup. In effort to maintain some girlishness we carefully picked out an innocent-looking terrier mix and put the iphone on a waiting list. To update you, we now often fondly refer to this "gift" as "Bad Girl". It's what I call her when she runs circles through the house refusing to stop, or sit, or stay. It's what she's referred to as I pick up a chewed through hula hoop and as I survey the wood siding on the house that she has feasted on like beef jerky. At least Griffin (our Schnauzer) still has his fifth collar; she chewed the other four off his neck.

Rylie, happy that it's Friday and happy that it's beautiful out, went outside this morning before school. She thought "Bad Girl/Ashlie" was choking on a toy. Being the animal hero she's always aspired to be, Rylie went to help her, and got bit. On this happy, Friday morning Rylie has a puncture wound on her finger. She cried in true Rylie style. For those of you who don't know, that means she cried like the Hollywood camera was rolling, zoomed in on nothing but her sheer traumatized tear-stained face. I, in true mother fashion ran into the kitchen and pulled out one of the baskets containing medicinal products (we have several baskets, being that half of us have several medical conditions including hypochondria). I grabbed some triple antibiotic ointment and some medical tape and fixed her wound straight up. To my surprise that didn't cease the tears. Jason was sitting to her right. She wrapped one arm around Jason's head and the other around mine inviting us to give her a group hug. And just like magic, she was healed.

On the inside anyway.

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Reminds me of an old commercial

I'd like to buy the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves.

Chorus:
I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a ----
And keep it company
That's the real thing.

First person to guess this commercial gets a free subscription to my blog. (Just kidding. The subscription is always free.)

This song flashed through my mind, mid-group hug with Rylie and her dad as we mourned her dog bite. Huddled together, I think she had us swaying.

I'd like to think that if the each person in the Coke commercial didn't have an ice cold Coke in hand, they'd have an arm wrapped behind the shoulder of the person beside them, Group Hug style.

That's the real thing!

I think "Group Hugs" are underrated.

Hayden used to call them Flamly (family) Hugs. They were an important event in most days of our week.

There's nothing more encouraging than people gathering in together to say "Things are going to be ok", "We are with you",

"We are for you".

I think corporate prayer might just be the most awesome form of a group hug there is. We are gathering together, hearts united. We are saying we are with you. Our hearts hurt for what hurts yours. Other times we huddle in to rejoice together at what God has done, quite like a group hug. But unlike some group hugs, in corporate prayer we invite our God.

We call on Our Father who cares and provides for us.

We call on

Yahweh Shalom- "The Lord is Peace". He comforts our weary souls.

Yahweh Nissi- "The Lord is my Banner" who fights for his people.

{God,} "you have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence". Acts 2:28

Group Hugs are age old. In Acts the people united on a regular basis. The became one in heart.

….They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14

This makes me want to put out an ad in the paper,….. on social media. It makes me want to shout from the rooftop.

Group Hugs Wanted!

Walls down.

Busyness cast aside.

Hearts in close proximity

Vulnerable and committed to each other, bringing glory to God

Afterall, at some point we're going to be spending a lot of time together……….Like forever.

Want to get started this evening?

September 26, Friday at 6:00 pm Triangle Baptist is having a prayer vigil for Saeed Abedini, a pastor who has been imprisoned in Iran for two years for his faith. His wife and two children are here in the States.  This evening we will pray with one heart. Be there as we meet to group hug and lift up Saeed and his family, and the persecuted church. More information on this event is shared on my Facebook wall.

 

 

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1. You buy quinoa to cook for supper without even knowing how to say quinoa.  I know now.  Say it with me, /keen-wa/.

2. You talk with food in your mouth knowing what you have to say can't wait until you swallow.

At least you cover your mouth making the offense slightly less rude.
At least you cover your mouth making the offense slightly less rude.

 

3. You decide to call your mother to check in, but you tap on the Facebook App and find yourself thirty minutes later reading about Adrian Peterson's abusive childhood.

4. You end up buying three wreaths for the front door in a week's time because you forget more than once to measure what will fit between the front door and the screen door, but then again those first two wreaths you bought were so cute and on sale and you had a gift card, so how could you not?.

My three wreaths- Reminds me of The Three Little Bears. One was too big. Another one was too big. And the next one was just right.
My three wreaths- Reminds me of The Three Little Bears. One was too big. Another one was too big. And the next one was just right.

5. You start writing a blog post on impulsivity with only the wreath example in the sauna at Exygon while believing that you may dehydrate......but you have stuff to write so you keep writing.

6. You text your hairdresser hoping that she has an opening in the next thirty minutes because your hair just got bad.

7. You DECIDE you have an anxiety disorder......and THEN you look up the symptoms on webmd.

8. You buy a couple of packages of Oreos because there's a coupon and then forget to use the coupon.

9. You're a channel surfer.

10.You realize on the way to Target that a yellow lampshade would brighten up the living room and that nachos sound good for lunch and you get both while you're out but you forget to get the birthday card that sent you to Target in the first place.

11. You endeavor to have an hour long conversation with your teenage daughter about a healthy body image or the importance of the messages we send on Instagram when she's in the middle of the most dire chapter of her Warriors book (thinking either conversation will do because both are important).

12. You brush your teeth when you go upstairs to get the laundry.

Because clothes and teeth both need to be clean, am I right?
Because clothes and teeth both need to be clean, am I right?

13. You get barbecue sauce at HEB but you don't get anything to put it on.

14. You move the ottoman to sweep under it and end up rearranging the living room.

15. You title your post Ten Signs you might be Impulsive, and then you write fifteen.

Share your own impulsive habits.

If you're feeling impulsive, go on up to the subscribe bar and type in your email so you can get posts.

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So. Jason and I are finally back to having our Friday lunch date. Kathy Bass suggested The Old Orange Cafe last spring. We took her up on that suggestion today.

All I can say is White Balsamic & Bacon Dressing.

Well, I can always say more, but White Balsamic & Bacon Dressing will no doubt be the most important thing I say all day.

The Old Orange Café is found at 914 W Division St. in Orange. There are plenty of great places to eat in here in Nederland, but sometimes we just like to take a short road trip. I might mention that we crossed the "bridges" and I didn't pray this time. I took pictures instead. I'm growing up. Have I mentioned I hate bridges? Sometimes I wish we could get from Point A to Point C without Point B, Point B being the bridge. But like I mentioned, it's Point B that has taught me to pray and gets me to Point C. And now that I'm starting to grow up, I'm learning that Point B, the bridge (though sometimes frightening) is beautiful.

The café is off of Tenth Street. We had to circle the block several times before parking, but you don't need to do that.

Service:

No complaints here. Our glasses were never empty and we were waited on promptly.

Atmosphere:

The building was originally opened in the early 1940's as part of a dairy. The walls are covered in ceramic tile as was required of a dairy in those days. The café has a rustic feel with historic pictures of Orange and of the owners' family. Have I mentioned that I love pictures? It's a small building with high ceilings. It's an any occasion type of place.

Price:

$$ The entrée's range from about $8 to the Catch of the Day being around $20.

Selection:

The menu offers a wide range of offerings. Normally, I'm not a big salad eater, but there were six or more types of salads and every one of them sounded good. They offer sandwiches and burgers; a shrimp burger with a jalepeno cheese bun and spicy mayo caught my eye. There are also several chicken and shrimp entrees. Fresh pies, including buttermilk, are served too but we were too stuffed. In fact, Jason is so stuffed he's not helping me write today. He's stretched out somewhere.

Tastiness:

Jason had the special, Portabella Chicken. When I just asked how he liked it, a voice from the couch said, it was goodness slathered in cream and sautéed onions, topped with avocado. I had the Swiss Bacon Quiche. It was light, tasty and fluffy; everything a good quiche should be. The crust was homemade; I could tell. But the best part was the Shrimp Salad we decided to share. This is where I bring up that White Balsamic & Bacon Dressing again. This is also where my only regret of the day (so far) comes in; sharing the Shrimp Salad with Jason. Because sharing with your husband is not always fifty-fifty. I almost flipped the bowl stabbing a shrimp close to the rim before Jason could get to it. We also both used our finger to get the last taste of dressing that remained in the Dixie dressing cup….and lid. It was that good.

The Old Orange Café was a great outing. I also probably don't have to remind you local folks that Orange is a great city to visit with the Lutcher Theater and the Stark Museum (Disclaimer: Haven't been to either, but they're on the list). A visit to Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center would also be a nice place to visit after you eat, to walk off some of those candied walnuts. In fact, every fall I understand that the Gardens have a display of scarecrows. The website shows "The Scarecrow Festival" starting on October 8. We've planned on going every year, but haven't made it yet. I've tried to convince Hayden every year since we've been here that's what he wants to do for his birthday (10/30). Because what teenage boy wouldn't want to look at scarecrows with his parents and sisters? Maybe the promise of an accompanying slice of chocolate pie might entice him.

 

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I've always suggested that the setting up of my blog was a conspiracy. I entered the kitchen one day and Jason was on my lap top secretively typing away. Let me even go back and say that it was his idea to get me a laptop. (Is lap top one word or two? See, I have no business owning one.) I sin more while using technology (well, that and driving my car and shopping cart in busy lanes ) than any other time.  Anyway. Jason set up my blog/website, whatever you want to call it. I hadn't asked for it. I made C's on most every college English paper. Still, Jason not only set up my blog, he encouraged me to write. You want to know why I think he did this? Don't get me wrong, he's really sweet and he believes in me and all that jazz....

but the truth is, his man ears can't take all that I have to say.

I have a lot to say; both when things are fine and dandy and when a dark cloud has perched itself right overhead. My therapy, when I'm weary, confused,  angry, when I'm feeling hopeless and even when my heart could burst from excitement, is to talk about it. I will say that I'm an excellent secret keeper, but when it comes to my thoughts and my FEELINGS, I want to share, share share.

Much like outside my window today, my mood is cloudy. Today is Jason's day off. So as he sat beside me in our oversized brown chair earlier, I had the ear I've been waiting for all (busy, long, long) week. I hadn't gotten very far when he said, "You know, it's been a while since you've written anything. You should write." So here I am, obedient wife that I am.

Jason's not the only one whose ear I've near talked off lately. I have good friends, females no doubt, who God shared with me to endure all the words.

Still, there are things, deep things that are better poured out somewhere rather than on human ears. I've been doing a lot of praying. Much of my praying must seem like Hannah in 1 Samuel who prayed so embittered and broken that she was mistaken to be drunk. Some of my prayers are desperate, and they're never thought out. I'm so glad it can be that way with God, unlike texts that I send where I find myself typing....deleting…..typing…..finger-tapping on my forehead, thinking, deleting……....typing......sending……then wish I could go back and delete.

With God, my words and murmurs-good, bad, unintelligible, and even my rare silence is heard and understood.

….the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

There are, according to several different sources, 783,137 words in the Bible. Every one of them are spoken to me and to you. They're spoken personally. The words are a beautiful story, they're mystery, and a carefully crafted love letter to each of us. But in addition to all of those words, sometimes God whispers just a word or two, stilling our soul.

This morning those words were "Better things".

As I was getting ready I did what I do every day. I was drying my hair with my right hand, clicking on a news article with my left finger, ready to read another piece that would add to the brokenness I have felt in my heart as of late. I heard, what was like one of those Spirit sighs, say softly "Better things". Set your mind on better things. A verse came to me.  It's a verse I've used in a dozen posts making you think it might be one of the only ones I know, a verse I've read over and over; a verse that is working in me so diligently to guide my life.

…..whatever is true

….…whatever is noble

………whatever is right

…………whatever is pure

…………….whatever is lovely

………………..whatever is admirable

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Think about "Better Things"

I know that while we think about better things, we are merely distracting ourselves from pain and sorrow and the things we just don't understand, but this brokenness and feeling of incompleteness won't always be.

Better things are to come.

There will come a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face (Jeremy Camp-There Will be a Day)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

For the record, my man who conspired against me, is good.  He's very, very good.

And my friends who get phone neck cricks and answer my epically long texts?  Well, they're good too.