Oh People......

I’m here! I’m here!

Oh people….what a WEEK!

I have so many things to tell you. I have so many pictures to post. I have recipes. I have running cards. I have very fun pictures from something I went to this week.

AND I CAN’T TELL YOU ABOUT ANY OF THEM BECAUSE….

I’m computerless.

I do, however, have a fun Bekahland story regarding said computerless-ness, so gather round.

I noticed earlier this week that when I tried to plug in my computer to charge it, the cord seemed finicky. I’d have to jiggle it a little or switch it to another outlet to get it to work properly. I knew my outlets were fine because other things were working in them. Well…Tuesday night I came home to a nearly dead battery and a very dead power cord.

Nothing worked. I wiggled it. I moved it to every outlet in the house. Basically I did everything but stand on my head, and the only reason I didn’t do that is because…well…need I explain the disaster that would ensue if I tried THAT?

In a moment of pretend brilliance, I called Staples to see if new power cords could be purchased. The Staples lady said, “No, you have to purchase those from the manufacturer.” So, using the last morsel of battery power in my computer, I looked up the number for the manufacturer and placed the call. Amazingly enough the menu didn’t have a specific option that said “If your power cord is dead, please press three,” so I guessed my way into the troubleshooting department.

The man who took my call was quick to inform me that my warranty expired a week ago. Well of course it did! Why wouldn’t it? So he asked me a bunch of questions – largely centered around whether or not there was physical damage to my cord. He didn’t seem to want to take no for an answer. After reminding me no less than five times that my warranty had expired a week ago, he gave me the phone number for the warranty department so I could check with them, “just to see.”

So I called the warranty department. “Well I’m sorry, ma’am,” they said, “but your warranty expired a week ago.”

I KNOW.

I explained that I called because that’s what Mr. Troubleshooter Man told me to do and I was supposed to ask if there was anything they could do.

“No ma’am. Your warranty expired a week ago.”

Really!? I didn’t argue. I work in customer service and I understand that a deadline is a deadline. I am not any more special than anybody else whose warranty expired. I do not need to make an appeal. It is what it is. Let the record show.

He explained I’d need to talk to the parts department to order a new cord…or…I could order it online. Mustering my kindest voice, I said, “I’d be happy to…IF I HAD A COMPUTER THAT WORKED.” I asked if he could transfer me to parts and he hastily said, “Oh no, I can’t do that. I can only give you their number.”

Okay then.

So I called the parts lady. She asked if I knew my warranty expired a week ago.

Need I dignify that with an explanation?

She said I’d need a new cord and quoted a price so outrageous that “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” flew out of my mouth and I refuse to even put it in print. But that wasn’t the worst. The worst was when she said, “That will be there in seven to ten days.”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I’m sorry – did I move onto the set of Little House on the Prairie and no one told me? Does Oleson’s store not carry power cords?

I recovered quickly, in the interest of wanting to bear a good witness. But get this.

She closed our call with, “I’ll send you an email receipt. Just email me back if you have any questions.”

To which I replied, “I sure will. In seven to ten days.”

Bits for Sunday, March 21

I have a lot of quirks.

They’re why you love me, right? :)

Back when I turned 30 (as if that was sooooo long ago) I made a list. List making is one of my quirks, so this should not shock you. It was filled with things I wanted to do to improve my spiritual life, my ministry life, my home life, my relationship life, and the enjoyment of life. Some of the things I’ve done well. Others…not so much.

But something I wrote down to go along with the list was my theme song for this decade. And I hope it’s actually my theme song for life. Also not shocking to you, it’s a Gaither song. You know I love their music, but this may be my most favorite song they’ve ever written.

Since I’m still music-less in my car for two more weeks, I decided to sing this one to myself on the way home from church today. I won’t put all the words here, but I wanted to list some that spoke to me a little extra today.

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven. On one of the Gaither tapings, Gloria talked about that line and how she wondered how we would live if we did, in fact, live as forgiven people. I’d never given it much thought before I heard her say that. I have been forgiven. I am forgiven. I know that. But I don’t always live that way. A more accurate line for me might have something to do with…I then shall live as one who’s caught up in fear. I then shall live as one consumed with worry. I then shall live as one who doesn’t believe. But to live as one who’s been forgiven. Now that’s some freedom, right there.

I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges. Hmmm, back to the fear! This has been a big one for me this week. God chose this time to make me aware of just how often I build a wall instead of a bridge. And He’s made me aware in a call-to-change sort of way. It has been a tough week in that respect. This is a hard lesson to learn. But if I don’t learn it now, I’m going to have to learn it later anyway, and in the meantime, I’m going to distance people who shouldn’t be distanced.

I’ll dare to see another’s point of view. You know about my praying on the run cards that I use to count laps when I’m running. One set of cards has to do with lessons I am trying to learn now for when I’m married someday. One of the quotes on the cards talks about understanding that there might be more than one way to solve a problem, and my opinion may not be right – it may just be one possible solution. I’m working to understand that.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me. Gloria didn’t talk about this line in her interview, but I wonder the same things she said about the first line…regarding this one. How would we live if we did, in fact, live as people who invited God’s Kingdom to come around and through and in us? It’s what He wants of us, anyway. Why not live that way? Think of the blessings we would receive and those we would be privileged to give if we lived with His Kingdom infiltrating us that way!

The song has many more lyrics that are equally wonderful. These are just the ones that hit me today. And truly, if someday when I’m old and wrinkled(er), I would hope that those around me could look at every line of this song and say, “She lives just that way.”

Update #2 -

Y'all, one person should not have enough happening in life to do two updates in one week. That is just pure ridiculousness. But it's true. So here I am.

* Remember the night I worked late? Turns out my work computer's hard drive DIED. I've never killed a hard drive in 13 years of work. I felt really bad about it! But the IT people were so nice and fixed me right up with a new one. The good news was, it was fixable. The bad news was, I lost everything. The odd news was, I didn't care. Once upon a time, that would have completely unglued me - to have to start over with my music and documents and tracking down the work sites. Today I just shrugged.

* Yesterday was an INCREDIBLE day. Best day I've had in a long time. And you know what honks me off about that? I had this perfect day - a million memories of joy. And I fell asleep for just a few minutes, woke up, and realized I HAD DREAMED ABOUT WORK. Are you kidding me? I had this perfect day and fell asleep to visions of my office and verification papers? That is wrong. WRONG.

* My cat (or some combination of the two) threw up THREE TIMES in this house this morning. I finally just started walking around the house with the carpet cleaner. Just like a little squirt gun.

* I have more news, I'm sure, but I just got the call that my "We're going to teach you to play cards" crew is en route, so I must go gear up my brain to learn. Oh heaven help us all.

Kinda Crazy!

So in my silence...here's what's been happening in Bekahland

* We are O-ficially in our busy season at work. In fact, I'm taking a fast break from returning to the office tonight just to pop in and say hi. The phones have been ringing like crazy, I'm pretty sure lists now grow out of my actual person, and appointments abound. BUT - I'm so thankful to have a job!

* I did an UNHEARD OF thing on Monday and took half a sick day. I know! Sit down! Shut up! As most of you know, I do NOT believe in sick days. Much like Mark Lowry's mother, my philosophy is unless you're throwing up, you get to work. Unfortunately at noon on Monday, I had to halt my standing Monday lunch date about ten minutes into our meal. My sweet friend rushed me home because I thought I was going to have to do the dreaded V word. She really was so wonderful. We got in the car and she said, "Do you need air?" I said "NO...YES!" So she frantically switched air on and off as suited my need that second. She turned off the main road when I made wild gestures to move NOW! She even knew to just stop talking because I needed to focus on NOT throwing up in her car. I decided that was close enough even for Mark Lowry's mother, and stayed home the rest of the day.

* Fortunately I was much better by Tuesday and guess what, guess what, guess what!?!!?!? The Sonic is open again! It opened Monday but you know the rule...too sick for work...too sick for strawberry cream slushes! But yesterday was beautiful, so a couple friends from work went with me and we sat out at a picnic table and indulged in amazing Sonic-ness.

* Today I became the owner of a pack n play. I know! Sit down! Shut up! And no, I don't have an announcement. :) A friend of mine is having a baby soon and I wanted to have a bed for baby at Aunt Bekah's house, so I now own one.

* In keeping with the family sickness, my Dad spent the night in the hospital last night. He became ill while having the tires rotated yesterday (I can see how that could lead to illness) and my Mom had to go get him and take him to the emergency room. He had some tests, including a cat scan - which revealed he is, in fact, NOT having kittens - spent the night and came home today. And by came home, I mean drove himself home. Mark Lowry's mother would be proud.

* So that's a quick catch-up on life in Bekahland. It has been great here lately. God is GOOD. He always is...that's not new. But His blessings have overflowed extra lately and I want to be sure to thank Him out loud!

Bits for Sunday, March 14

Today (okay technically yesterday since I am not writing until after midnight...) began EDST. I think by now most of you know my disdain for this practice. I’ve never liked it and don’t intend to start now. I comply with it by mentally adjusting my work schedule to 7-4. The rest of the world may call it 8-5, but it’s 7-4. This is why, when flex time is offered in the summer, I can’t participate. What non-morning person works from 6-3? Are you kidding me?

I gave in and changed all the clocks in my house, out of respect for those who might visit me and need to know the time. But let the record show, I will not change the clock in my car. And it has nothing to do with not knowing how to change it. Oh I know how! I just refuse. They can have every other clock in my world, but they’re not getting my car.

Today, though, has been a strange adjustment to EDST. I didn’t sleep well last night…I woke up early…even earlier than the early early…and I didn’t take a nap. And still I remained civil! I do fear for the attitude tomorrow, however. Sometimes it takes a day or two to sink in.

I’m going to do a complete about-face in topic here. I would apologize, but these are my Bits and I’m really not sorry. :)

Despite the start of EDST and my lack of sleep and all the busyness that has been taking place around me lately, I have to say that this was an incredible Sunday.

I drove to church in silence, which today I was actually grateful to have. I had much on my mind and needed the time to spend in prayer. In fact, upon arriving at church, I wanted to just continue praying. I wasn’t sure how I was going to juggle listening to the sermon and moving forward with the prayers I’d begun on the way.

God was way ahead of me.

Our entire service today was built around prayer. We didn’t have a traditional sermon. We had little thoughtlets and Scriptures about prayer…and then we prayed. For minutes on end. Then we had more thoughtlets and Scriptures…and then we prayed again.

I don’t remember ever having a service quite like that one since I started attending this church. How good of God to know that’s just what I needed today. How good of Him to provide a whole atmosphere of prayer. How good of Him to keep me awake during it!

So…no, I don’t like changing the clocks. No, my internal clock is unlikely to change with it. But if I could have another prayer day like this one sometime soon – I’d welcome it! (I’d also welcome it an hour later in the day.)

Moment of the Day

I've told you before that my new method of scrapping is to scrap events as soon as they happen. This makes me officially behind right now, as I have not one, not two, but three envelopes of pictures sitting beside me, waiting to take up residence in the album. I just didn't have time this week!

Tonight I walked up to the photo counter to pick up my seven pictures from today's event, and the guy behind the counter, without saying a word, picked up the envelope and handed it to me. I said, "Is it bad that you know who I am?"

He just laughed and said, "Well, you do place more online orders than anyone."

So I guess that means I just won the most frequent photo orderer award! I would like to thank....

Kaegan's Birthday!

This big boy is NINE today.

He's not the tiny kitten I brought home...
But I do love him! This is how he starts nearly every day. He perches on the desk and watches the sun rise. He's kind of a morning person. Not sure where he got that from. (Although if I stayed in bed all day and all night, I could be persuaded to be a morning person too.)

Tonight was Kaegan's little party. I had to keep Braeya behind a closed door while he ate, so she wouldn't steal his food. (She would...and he'd let her.)

After that, he got new toys. I bought these catnip mice Monday night and before the night was over, Braeya had stolen it OUT of the Wal-Mart bag and run away with it in her mouth.

She did finally get released...and promptly took over the gifts.

After a while, they shared...isn't that so precious?

The official birthday portrait....

This guy was a gift to me, and he has been such a blessing! He's quiet, non-destructive, and very good to offer "kisses" (nudges) when I'm having a meltdown. He loves to be cuddled (on his own terms, of course) and is far too gentlemanly (or chicken) to fight with his sister.

Happy birthday, Kaegan!

The Perils of Chat

I've had people tell me before that they're nervous to write me emails or to chat with me because they know I'm a writer and they're worried I delight in reading with my imaginary red pen, marking all their mistakes.

Not true.

I consider emails among friends, all chats, and most texts to be held to a different (a.k.a. lower) standard of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. When I chat, I rarely use capital letters. I do, however, punctuate. When I text, I omit commas and apostrophes. And I still don't capitalize. When I email, I try to do things right.

Can't remember if I've vented about this before...here...so if I have, sorry. Here's my pet peeve, and boy I sure hope I don't lose any of you as real life friends or chatting buddies after I admit this to you. I hate abbreviations in chat boxes, with the exceptions of LOL and BTW. I'll use those. I don't mind them in texts because I know sometimes character usage is limited and to get the whole message in, they have to happen.

At work, people sometimes tell me "thx." Really? You can't take the three extra letters to tell me thanks? And I don't feel the least bit welcome if you "YW" me. Actually, when people tell me "thx," I usually respond with "hts" - and then I wait a few minutes for them to stew over that one, ask me what it means, and then I figure it equals out to the time it would have taken to just actually thank me. (It stands for "happy to serve." And yes, I am working on my character.)

But this one, the other day, just cracked me up because it proved the perils of abbreviations.

Like I said, at work we use an instant messenger program, but sometimes I want to make sure the person I'm writing to is actually at his or her desk and does not have a student in there before I say whatever I'm going to say. In such cases, I usually begin with "You there?" That allows them to ignore me or ask me to hang on or whatever.

So one day I said to one of the girls, "You there?" Immediately she shot back "Y." Well, you see, in the conversation land of one person I used to chat with often, "Y" meant "Depends on what you want. You tell me and then I'll let you know if I'm here." So when my co-worker said that, I figured she was having a really bad afternoon and whatever I needed could surely wait.

About a half hour later, she stopped by my office and said "I told you I was there - what did you want?" I said, "No, you asked why." She said, "No - Y means yes!" Well to me, Y means why!

And this, my dear people, is why God created words. And I vote we use them.

Rant over. :)

His Good Pleasure

Today in our staff devotions, I read from Streams in the Desert, which is my main devo book this year. I picked the reading from February 12th, because I remembered when I read it on that day...it meant so much to me.

The devo talks about a class of deaf children presented with the question of why God made them deaf and others able to hear. One of the children answered by quoting Matthew 11:26 - "Yes Father, for this was your good pleasure."

If you've lurked here for quite a while, you know that every now and then I talk about how being such a late in life surprise to my parents has been a heart battle for me at times. For years, I wondered why God did that. Why He interrupted a complete family.

And He has been so gracious to teach me...little by little. I'm sure I don't know all the answers yet, but I have come to find a peace in knowing it was for His good pleasure.

Adventures in Fuel Purchase

Tonight I had to make a quick run to Kokomo. And by run, I mean drive.

I took a look at the almost empty gas tank before I left home, but I was just sure I could do the whole trip and then fill up the tank.

Seriously, Rebekah?

On the drive home, the gauge needle started kissing E a little more than I care to see. So about halfway through the trip home, I detoured to Mayberry Jr. go put gas in the car. You should know that being the creature of habit that I am...I always buy my gas at the same station. Always.

But tonight was an emergency. Time to branch out.

Or try, anyway.

I pulled up to the station and checked to see if they had a pre-pay after dark rule. They did not. So I hit the little button that said "pay inside" and then a little message popped up to press start and begin fueling. I followed the arrow, punched the button, and the following message displayed:

TRANSACTION CANCELED.

Not quite "Begin Fueling." So I tried to start over.

TRANSACTION CANCELED.

I left the nozzle in the gas tank and went inside to see if Wally or Gomer happened to be around. This 80ish year old guy came out and told me to go back out and he'd wave me on when I could start pumping the gas.

So I stood by the car and waited for his wave.

TRANSACTION CANCELED.

So Mr. 80 came outside, messed with the pump, took my cash, put me on a pre-pay, and I pumped the gas.

Seriously?

This is why I stick with the station I know.

Bits for Sunday, March 7

Talk about a FABULOUS weekend!

You all know my addiction to scrapping and card making. I just had a healthy dose of both. So rather than trying to inspire you this week, I'm going to give you my school-esque report of "What I did this weekend."

Friday morning, I packed up the car (and I do mean packed)....
...and drove over to the Cherished Moments Craft Hideaway. I'd been there once before, last fall, for a day of crafting, but this time I went for the entire weekend. Did you hear that? The entire weekend.
I chose my table...not surprising to most of you, it's the same one I used last time. Such a creature of habit, I am. I spread out the supplies, opened up the suitcase (which spread over into a laundry basket) and got to work.


The weekend was certainly a crafting success...I completed a mini scrapbook, finished my Brown County vacation book, and made about 50 cards. But it was so much more than just hard core crafting.

I shared the weekend with two great friends, and we had a blast telling stories, laughing until we cried, sharing a cry or two, and of course, oohing and aahing over all our hard work.

And the house where we stayed was just so cozy.

I had breakfast with one of the owners this morning before I left, and I told her that normally, when I stay away from home, I have a good time, but I know I'm not at home. There's that element of tip-toeing around. Not there. Last night as I stayed up by myself, at the craft table, journaling before bed, I realized how very much like home it felt. That is rare.

A mother and daughter duo run the establishment...

...and this weekend the mother took care of us. And I do mean she took care of us. She brought us tea and diet coke to drink, made me some hot chocolate last night, emptied our little table-side trash cans, turned down our beds at night, made them in the morning, pulled out towels and bathrobes for us when we wanted to take a bath in the gigantic whirlpool tub...

...and then cleaned it out so the next person could go.

She brought us snacks so we didn't even have to get up from the table while we worked...

...put our food on our plates for us...

...and brought us dessert and coffee when our plates were empty.

She met us at our cars with a cart to carry in all our supplies and rolled it back out for us when we left.

She even joined us on our Skype call to friends in Hong Kong - just to say hi! (oh yes - did I mention we had internet there too? Nothing like being able to chat and scrap at the same time.)

The house has four gorgeous bedrooms...

...each with a different decor theme...

We stayed in the Three Queens Room, I think it was called. Three little twin beds all lined up in a row...

...with mints on the pillows...

...and bathrobes with a gift set on them at the end of the beds.

Besides the gigantic tub, there was also a bathroom that sported a fancy new shower - complete with a seat and extra jets that did a back massage pulse. Are you kidding me? How do I bring that home with me?

I hated saying goodbye this morning. She got up extra early to cook my breakfast (of scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, biscuits and fruit...and coffee-to-go). I left in time to make it to church.

Yes it was, indeed, a fantastic weekend. Loved every minute of it.

But you know what else I loved? Coming home to some cuteness that missed me more than I thought she would.

Can't beat that!

Heaven on Earth

Just a sampling...more pictures to come another day.

But hand me a piece of this:

And offer me one of these...

And what do you get? ONE HAPPY GIRL!!!!!

Throw in a few prizes...

And scrapping and great laughs.....

And it equals A GREAT WEEKEND.

ABC Verse Scrapbook

When you love Jesus and you love crafts, you can come up with some great projects. :) Here is one I made recently and it received surprisingly positive reviews in person, so I thought I'd share it with you.

You know my love of alphabetical verses as a method of memorization.

So recently I made a new list, and I've been compiling that list into some gifts to give. Here's what I did....

This is a 6x6 scrapbook - just a tiny one.

I used a Cricut (no, I don't have one, but I had quite the fun using it at someone else's house!) to cut out the letters of the recipient's name:

I stamped the pages with butterflies and ran an inked sponge around the edges of each page to give it a more polished look.

I also used the Cricut for the alphabet letters. I don't own any stamps this large.

I printed out each verse on my computer and cut them out to glue on top of the stamped page.


I was pretty happy with the outcome!

The one I made a couple of weeks ago reached the recipient this week and she said she loved it. This one will go out in this week's mail!

The Strep Story

Julie requested this...so here you go!

When I was little, I had strep every winter. The weirdest part about it was...I rarely had a sore throat. That's why, when I had strep in college, I didn't recognize it. My throat hurt. Imagine that!

The worst part of it all was the throat culture. The giant Q Tip. Oh how I hated that thing.

When I was in kindergarten, I started feeling sick, but I begged Mom and Dad to not take me to the doctor. They decided to wait (probably didn't want to fight a cranky kid in the doctor's office), and I tried to will myself toward wellness.

One night, I was sacked out on the love seat, trying to get well, when I saw Dad eating a piece of fudge. I love fudge. I have always loved fudge. I asked for a piece...and he said I was welcome to help myself. It was in the kitchen.

Problem: I couldn't move.

My hip hurt so badly, I could not watch. When the fudge lover won't go get the fudge, you know she's sick.

So off to the doctor I went...and I was diagnosed with strep. And somehow (though I don't know how) - it settled in my hip. I was hospitalized overnight and made a full recovery.

And I still don't do throat cultures.

Maybe...I should post a segment about my trip to the walk in clinic.

A Little Q & A

I was visiting Karen's blog today and found a post with some fun questions. Since I'm at a loss for what to say today, I'm borrowing them. :)

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why? Night! I am a complete night owl. Give me a week off work and by the end of it, I'll absolutely have my days and nights switched around. How is it that switching them BACK takes much longer than a week?

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of? Oh...I have to narrow it down to one? It's not a food, really, but I am addicted to caramel frappuccinos. So I'm going with that for now. There would, of course, be a huge list of sub-foods I'd add!

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be? It's a selfish one...but I'd love to have back the two babies (not my own..a niece and a nephew) that I never got to know.

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot? My unique ability to attract the strangest drama. I don't mind it. It gives me something to write about and usually makes others laugh...which makes me so happy.

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be? You're going to laugh at me. The Cosby Show. Loved the Huxtables. How did Clair do it all?? If I ever get married and have kids, I want to be that put together. Let the re-cord show.

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be? Hands down - singing.

7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation? Prince Edward Island. This is actually on my dream list of places to visit. I'm a huge Anne of Green Gables fan and I think the scenery in PEI is stunning. I may or may not have done a lot of research about their vacation packages...

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing? I'm sorry - is there a genre besides southern gospel? I was unaware.

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be? I know you're all going to think I'll put Hobby Lobby - and that's true. I could probably spend 10 grand in there without much problem. But I have a little work I'd love to do in my kitchen and bathroom, so I'm going to go with Lowe's. (When did I become such a GROWNUP??)

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be? Definitely now. I need air conditioning, so the pre-air days would not work for me.

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be? Probably black or red. Black is my power color, but I've been told I look good in red. And I have a SWEET red "Mary Poppins" purse.

12. If you were one of the seven dwarfs, which one would you be?
(Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, or Dopey) Lately? Happy. :)

13. What's the last album you listened to? Reunited...Gaither Vocal Band. Don't worry. It wasn't in the car.

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you? Oooh that's a tough one. Um, maybe that when I was five, I was hospitalized for strep throat that rendered me unable to walk? (Did you already know that one?)

Dial A Story

I told this story at work today, so I figured I'd tell you too. :)

Please bear in mind I am not old, though it's about to sound that way.

When I was growing up, we had an old (ugly) black rotary phone that hung on the wall of the kitchen. It was the only phone in the whole house. Thank goodness cordless phones came out before I hit the drama of adolescence. We all might have killed each other if those conversations had taken place in the center of living.

The phone had a long cord - that could reach the kitchen table, the living room chair, or in moments of REAL privacy, the utility room step.

My mom wasn't really a talker on the phone...most of the time. I mean she did talk on it every day, but not for hours and hours. She did have two friends, though, that she only talked to a couple of times each year. And everyone knew, if one of their names came out of her mouth when she picked up the phone, the next two hours were gone.

I didn't really have phone privileges as a kid...I mean, who did I need to call? However, there was the dial-a-story. I don't remember who sponsored it, but it was a local call that played a kid's devotional story. I loved calling the dial-a-story.

One day I hadn't gotten around to calling it before one of those two-hour-chat ladies called my mom. About an hour into the call, I started getting rather impatient, but Mom just waved me away (as she should have) because this was her long lost friend on the phone!

Finally I could take it no more. I dragged a kitchen chair over to the phone, climbed up on it and clamped down the lever to disconnect the call. Then I calmly stuck my head around the side of the cabinet to find the dial-a-story number and started dialing.

Mom appeared in the doorway, looking very puzzled.

"What are you doing?"

"It's TIME to call the dial a story!!"

Want to guess who won that one? :)

My Secret Talents

Saturday night was game night...with my high school buddies. I promise that other people really were there...but they're blog anonymous. :) So just pictures of me this time.

We started out by playing The Last Word. Please note that this is a word game. And yet I just sat there and stared. Here's my problem with word games (have this problem in Scattergories, too). Once I get a word in my head, it won't leave. So...needless to say...when I finally got my pawn out of start....
...I was pretty happy.

From there, we moved on to Wii games. Did you know I had a hidden talent of cow racing?

Oh yes. Well...once I learned how to NOT let him run off the path and knock over trees and ride the fence.

One of the other players had a great run in cow racing...until I broke her winning streak. SWEET!

Bowling...the one thing I feel I can do well...ish.

It was such a fun night. These friends are so much fun to hang out with a couple of times a year. Those of you who know me well know that I am typically quite frightened of games. I don't like to look stupid in front of other people. It's been a growing experience for me these past 3 or 4 years of game nights...to learn to try even when I know I might not win. They're so good to not tease me too much...but yet they give me a good run for my money. The mark of good friends. :)

And they uncovered my secret talents of cow racing. Can't put a price on that.

Bits for Sunday, February 28

This year my Lenten fast is…unusual at best.

In years past I’ve given up pop…pop again…snacks…a meal…desserts…are you seeing a theme?

I started to feel guilty about that trend, because I don’t think the purpose of Lent is to launch a diet. Then again, I wasn’t raised to observe such fasts, so what do I know?

So this year I had no intention of even participating. On the first day of Lent (that kind of makes you want to break into song, doesn’t it?) one of my friends asked me what I’d given up…and that was the first I even realized it was the first day of Lent.

That night, as I drove to church, I was doing my usual…cranking out a duet with David Phelps.

And then it became unusual. I didn’t want to sing anymore. Not with David. Not with anybody. I didn’t want the music.

Odd.

So I turned it off and just drove in silence for a minute.

And that’s when I knew.

God was asking me to turn off the music during Lent. Drive in silence. Pray. Listen.

That isn’t a big deal on work days. My commute is short enough that one of the guys in my office said, “What do you do? Say Dear Jesus…Amen?” Well, that’s fair. It’s about that short of a drive!

But just ask my parents…I’m the girl who was asking for music to blare before the keys were even in the ignition! And things have not changed. Music is always on in my car. To drive anywhere…even to work without getting through at least a chorus of something is…well…unprecedented.

I won’t lie. I was nervous. I asked God if He was aware how many days Lent covered. He was.

And yet I knew that was what He asked of me.

I haven’t kept track of how many days have passed since the start of Lent, but let the record show, I’m still here! And while I sorely miss the music (and have, a couple of times, created my own acapella serenade), I have to say I would not trade those moments God and I have shared for all the David duets in the world.

Amazing what you can think to say in the silence. Amazing what you can hear in the silence.

I’ve had to explain this fast more than a few times…it’s understandably odd. But it’s an inexplicably wonderful nudge from the Lord. I’m so glad He did it.

Praying on the Run - Card 7

I just finished my workout for today (didn't get to run...the gym is closed) so I thought it was about time I caught up with another card.

This quote came from Tiet Parsons, who said, "I couldn't honestly say that my husband's heart was safe with me. How many times must he have wondered what he would face in the lioness's den when he got home from work?"

Prayer: Ability to create a safety net for his heart.

Until I went to college, I'd always had my own living space. My sisters were grown and out of the house by the time I have memories of living at home, and no one ever stayed at our house long term, so I was used to my own room...my own stuff...getting ready in the bathroom whenever I wanted.

And then there were roommates.

I enjoyed having roommates, because for the first time, I had someone to talk to - on a peer level. I loved the fun times. But oh my word, the drama. I had no idea girls could be that dramatic! I had several roommates throughout college, and I remember sometimes dreading what I might find when I walked in the door. And I don't like to say so out loud, but I'm sure the same thoughts came right back at me from some of them.

That's something I've been working on in these last few years. I've been growing up (can I get a finally!!!??) and praying so hard that whenever that day comes, he won't have to spend his whole ride home from work praying "Please dear God don't let her throw things at me when I walk in."

I consider it a high compliment when I hear husbands say their wives make such a warm and safe home that they can't wait to show up after work. I wonder sometimes if those wives realize what a high honor that is.

Ding-a-Ling

Today is collections day at Kelly's Korner. I wish I had mine out so I could post a picture...but right now it's packed away.

HOWEVER.

I have a story! :) After all, one of the best parts of a collection is the story of how it started, right?

If you're new here, you might not know this about me...I was a late in life surprise/blessing/accident/cancer (depending on who tells the story) for my parents. The whole cancer part is another story for another post.

The day Mom found out she was pregnant, my oldest sister was on her senior trip to Washington D.C. Dad was on the trip with her, and they had no idea the news that awaited them when they arrived home! The story goes (as I'm told...I hadn't so much developed ears to hear it myself) that when Lori heard I was on the way, she ran around the house yelling and ringing the souvenir bell she'd gotten on the trip.

And thus my bell collection began.

Throughout my childhood, I collected bells from everywhere. People brought me bells from their vacations...I received them for gifts at Christmas and my birthday...all kinds of bells!

When I moved out of Mom and Dad's house, I didn't have a way to display the collection, so they've been packed away in the attic for the last ten or so years. But one of these days...I'll bring them back out and maybe even add to the collection!