I have been on the couch all day after a trip to the Doctor. Once again I have a UTI. Do you think they can be stress induced?! My brain is mush from watching so much TV. Thankfully the phone hasn't rung. I am also on call this week end; it has been just by the Grace of God that I haven't been called to work. I sure hope I haven't just jinxed my luck. How's that for a mix of Christian Spirituality and superstitious luck? My husband has been a dream. He has cooked and played Taxi driver. He has yet to clean up behind himself, but he has let me have control of the remote. Fair trade. Tomorrow I'll feel like tackling the kitchen, the food and the rest was worth it. Kevin has sat with us all day with his school work in his lap. He has made some progress but just enough to say work happened. I know you're probably thinking why don't you send the kid to his room to do his school work?! Trust me if he were in his room alone there would be LESS work accomplished!! Gab has been at he Playhouse all day helping and receiveing acting lessons. She is supposed to go to dinner afterwards with a friend. She is going to come home pooped.
I have been lurking, not commenting though. Sometimes the computer lets me and other times it won't. Just like sometimes pictures come through and other times they don't. When I had to go to the library to keep up, I was amazed at how pretty your blogs were. My computer blocks a lot out. The really weird thing is it doesn't block the same things all the time. One week pictures come through great. The next week the same pictures are just empty squares on my page.
Well, back to the couch. If you don't see me at church in the morning it's because I fell asleep watching TV and my mushy brain oozed out my ear.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Tid Bits
No real post to entertain you, just a few random thoughts.
1) Our church is doing a Secret Sister thingy, which I absolutely love. The purpose of course is to lift a sister in Christ up in prayer for a year. Along with that sending cards and little gifts of encouragement. The other week Husband and I were talking about this and how much I enjoy it and he made this suggestion: Why make it a secret? Why not know who your sister is, have her for 3 months and get together at least once a month for lunch or to bake cookies or something. Including of course the prayer, so that you are also prayer partners. I really liked the idea!! It reminds me of a program that a church somewhere had. The Ladies Ministry paired women based on the info that the ladies provided according to spiritual growth, in accordance to the scripture that calls the older ladies to teach the younger ones. That can't be done by age only because an older lady by age may be a new Christian.
2) In my cry for friendship I realized that Americans socialize over food. Again, in talking to my husband I commented about how much I enjoyed meeting and visiting, though I feared that if it continued to always be over a meal I was gonna get very large and broke very fast! He suggested meeting at a track or some place where we could walk and talk instead of eat and talk. What a concept!
Can we say burnt garlic bread?! Be back in a sec. ok, this time I set the timer, sometimes it makes a difference.
3) For some reason this keeps coming to mind. I know I've shared it with some before, but I shall again. We attended a church in North Carolina that was a growing church. What they did was invent Deacon families. Every time a new family joined the church they were assigned a Deacon. Once a quarter the Deacon would put together something, such as a BBQ to invite the members of their *family*. The part I liked the most is the Deacon had a small group to keep his finger on. His 'secretary' would send cards or make phone calls. I think this is such a great idea in all churches but most esp in a military church. (that being a church where a large number of it's members are military) You know how sometimes a person will join a church and after a couple months just disappear? Several people will ask what happened to so and so, but no one seems to know. Ideally, the Deacon would know. The only part that didn't sit real well with this idea is the Deacon's secretary was not his wife. Part of me can see how this could be. Deacons wives are usually the ones wearing the most hats; least in a little church. The other part of me thinks that the wife s the perfect person to gather the info as it comes, send cards make calls, share with husband and say prayers with husband. I'm sure I'm forgetting pertinent details, but that's the gist.
This has been a busy, emotionally exhausting week! I could never for a min even begin to post any of it. After a 2 hour crying jag and a wonderful healing conversation with my husband I feel better equipped to face the rest of the week. Course, it would be a whole lot easier if I could strike that 4 letter 'f' word from my life. I know I'm supposed to feel and that God created feelings for a reason. I never learned how to manage my feelings. I mastered venting them to a 'T'. God forgot the filter that belongs between the brain and the tongue. Or perhaps I spewed it to never never land in the midst of one of my venting sessions. OH to have learned at an EARLY age the art of emotional control. Not to be confused with stuffing and squashing feelings. Oh NO, please do not believe that is what managing feelings are! Those that stuff explode!! Managing is feeling, taking deep breaths with your eyes and mouth CLOSED! Then with a prayer analyse the feeling and determine what it is telling you. Pain, why? Anger, why? Real or perceived? Now what? Talk slow, ask questions. ask questions, ask questions.
My mother told me years ago that she prayed that I would have a quiet and meek spirit. Then not too long ago she told me that she thought I had it. Wow, did I gloat for all of 2 minutes. Not a week later she said she'd be praying for it again. Loud and wide open that' s me.
One summer I was in Alabama with my sister and her children. Her oldest, at the time no more than 5 yrs old, became very upset about something. My sister pulled her from the car, got on the child's level and told her to stop crying. If memory serves me right my sister told the child that she understood why she was upset but the crying was to stop. this. minute. I was shocked! I mean, com'on if a child is crying and has reason to be aren't we to hold and comfort them?! Sure, if you want to emotionally manipulated by that child later in life. I still feel that the situation was a bit harsh, but I now understand and applaud the concept being taught.
After my crying jag my husband looks at me and states, I don't know we must be in for something good; we sure are under attack all of a sudden. May I say to my friends, not my husband, that we are under attack because we are doing something right?! (to say it to him would sound like I was disagreeing with his statement, may be at another time) We have put a huge hedge, or should I say tight hedge around my daughter. The umbrella of protection has had it's holes repaired and we did it TOGETHER!! Oh, I had lots of behind the scenes praying going on, thank you to all, but Husband and I actually talked things out and resolved to stand together!
When Husband and I were talking through things in regards to my daughter I told him that we needed to be her anchor in the storm. As I shared in an earlier post the storm that I antcipated didn't come in the manner in which I expected. It caught me broadside in a whole different area of my life. My anchor is nothing more than a bouy. Thank God, and I do not mean that fisciously, my husband's anchor was solid and strong. There's a whole 'nother messege in that!!!
The very most important thing ever, that I was reminded of today is that my husband loves me. How could I forget? Satan dug in deep and gained a strong hold that just wouldn't let up. My husband is a very tender hearted man and loves me dearly.
Well, tid bit was a bit understated. :)
1) Our church is doing a Secret Sister thingy, which I absolutely love. The purpose of course is to lift a sister in Christ up in prayer for a year. Along with that sending cards and little gifts of encouragement. The other week Husband and I were talking about this and how much I enjoy it and he made this suggestion: Why make it a secret? Why not know who your sister is, have her for 3 months and get together at least once a month for lunch or to bake cookies or something. Including of course the prayer, so that you are also prayer partners. I really liked the idea!! It reminds me of a program that a church somewhere had. The Ladies Ministry paired women based on the info that the ladies provided according to spiritual growth, in accordance to the scripture that calls the older ladies to teach the younger ones. That can't be done by age only because an older lady by age may be a new Christian.
2) In my cry for friendship I realized that Americans socialize over food. Again, in talking to my husband I commented about how much I enjoyed meeting and visiting, though I feared that if it continued to always be over a meal I was gonna get very large and broke very fast! He suggested meeting at a track or some place where we could walk and talk instead of eat and talk. What a concept!
Can we say burnt garlic bread?! Be back in a sec. ok, this time I set the timer, sometimes it makes a difference.
3) For some reason this keeps coming to mind. I know I've shared it with some before, but I shall again. We attended a church in North Carolina that was a growing church. What they did was invent Deacon families. Every time a new family joined the church they were assigned a Deacon. Once a quarter the Deacon would put together something, such as a BBQ to invite the members of their *family*. The part I liked the most is the Deacon had a small group to keep his finger on. His 'secretary' would send cards or make phone calls. I think this is such a great idea in all churches but most esp in a military church. (that being a church where a large number of it's members are military) You know how sometimes a person will join a church and after a couple months just disappear? Several people will ask what happened to so and so, but no one seems to know. Ideally, the Deacon would know. The only part that didn't sit real well with this idea is the Deacon's secretary was not his wife. Part of me can see how this could be. Deacons wives are usually the ones wearing the most hats; least in a little church. The other part of me thinks that the wife s the perfect person to gather the info as it comes, send cards make calls, share with husband and say prayers with husband. I'm sure I'm forgetting pertinent details, but that's the gist.
This has been a busy, emotionally exhausting week! I could never for a min even begin to post any of it. After a 2 hour crying jag and a wonderful healing conversation with my husband I feel better equipped to face the rest of the week. Course, it would be a whole lot easier if I could strike that 4 letter 'f' word from my life. I know I'm supposed to feel and that God created feelings for a reason. I never learned how to manage my feelings. I mastered venting them to a 'T'. God forgot the filter that belongs between the brain and the tongue. Or perhaps I spewed it to never never land in the midst of one of my venting sessions. OH to have learned at an EARLY age the art of emotional control. Not to be confused with stuffing and squashing feelings. Oh NO, please do not believe that is what managing feelings are! Those that stuff explode!! Managing is feeling, taking deep breaths with your eyes and mouth CLOSED! Then with a prayer analyse the feeling and determine what it is telling you. Pain, why? Anger, why? Real or perceived? Now what? Talk slow, ask questions. ask questions, ask questions.
My mother told me years ago that she prayed that I would have a quiet and meek spirit. Then not too long ago she told me that she thought I had it. Wow, did I gloat for all of 2 minutes. Not a week later she said she'd be praying for it again. Loud and wide open that' s me.
One summer I was in Alabama with my sister and her children. Her oldest, at the time no more than 5 yrs old, became very upset about something. My sister pulled her from the car, got on the child's level and told her to stop crying. If memory serves me right my sister told the child that she understood why she was upset but the crying was to stop. this. minute. I was shocked! I mean, com'on if a child is crying and has reason to be aren't we to hold and comfort them?! Sure, if you want to emotionally manipulated by that child later in life. I still feel that the situation was a bit harsh, but I now understand and applaud the concept being taught.
After my crying jag my husband looks at me and states, I don't know we must be in for something good; we sure are under attack all of a sudden. May I say to my friends, not my husband, that we are under attack because we are doing something right?! (to say it to him would sound like I was disagreeing with his statement, may be at another time) We have put a huge hedge, or should I say tight hedge around my daughter. The umbrella of protection has had it's holes repaired and we did it TOGETHER!! Oh, I had lots of behind the scenes praying going on, thank you to all, but Husband and I actually talked things out and resolved to stand together!
When Husband and I were talking through things in regards to my daughter I told him that we needed to be her anchor in the storm. As I shared in an earlier post the storm that I antcipated didn't come in the manner in which I expected. It caught me broadside in a whole different area of my life. My anchor is nothing more than a bouy. Thank God, and I do not mean that fisciously, my husband's anchor was solid and strong. There's a whole 'nother messege in that!!!
The very most important thing ever, that I was reminded of today is that my husband loves me. How could I forget? Satan dug in deep and gained a strong hold that just wouldn't let up. My husband is a very tender hearted man and loves me dearly.
Well, tid bit was a bit understated. :)
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Make No Assumptions
For some reason this little story keeps coming to mind so I thought I'd post it.
When I was in High School I had a very nice looking young man that would walk me to some of my classes. Upon arrival he would give me a kiss. Who am I kidding, we played a short game of tonsil hockey in the hall way. It was really...ummm innocent?
On the loud speaker every morning the school made announcements. Included in those announcements would be this: There is to be no PDA on campus. Finally, one day I asked a friend, "What is PDA?" I honestly had no clue. She informed me it was no public display of affection. Oh, wonder why they say that all the time? HUH?! I kid you not I did not connect the dots. That is very sad and I'm sure most of you are saying yea right.
The really sad part is NO one pulled me aside and spelled it out to me. No teacher no friend, no one. I'm sure since it was so obvious to them that they assumed I was just ignoring and being rebellious about the rule. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't totally stupid. I knew that tonsil hockey in the hall way wasn't the best place. It was the only time that we saw each other. If some one had pulled me aside and spoke to me in private I would have been humiliated. I wouldn't have shown it I'm sure. However, I would have found a more private place to, like the band room, to *play*. I'm afraid that I do have to admit the behavior would not have stopped, just become more discreet.
So what's the point? Don't just assume that because it is obvious to you then it is obvious to others. Esp. if that person is a teenager!!
Speaking to a teenager about any thing in any way can be a very tricky thing! One approach one day will be well received, the same approach on a different day may launch a temper tantrum from Hell. I guess the thing to always remember is speak the truth with/in love.
My father-in-law gave the good advise of always ask questions. In asking questions you learn where the person really is in their thinking and lots of times the right questions asked will cause the person to see the answer with out you having to tell them.
OK, now that I've preached to the choir, I'm going to read my own advise and try to apply it.
Have a Happy Sunday!
When I was in High School I had a very nice looking young man that would walk me to some of my classes. Upon arrival he would give me a kiss. Who am I kidding, we played a short game of tonsil hockey in the hall way. It was really...ummm innocent?
On the loud speaker every morning the school made announcements. Included in those announcements would be this: There is to be no PDA on campus. Finally, one day I asked a friend, "What is PDA?" I honestly had no clue. She informed me it was no public display of affection. Oh, wonder why they say that all the time? HUH?! I kid you not I did not connect the dots. That is very sad and I'm sure most of you are saying yea right.
The really sad part is NO one pulled me aside and spelled it out to me. No teacher no friend, no one. I'm sure since it was so obvious to them that they assumed I was just ignoring and being rebellious about the rule. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't totally stupid. I knew that tonsil hockey in the hall way wasn't the best place. It was the only time that we saw each other. If some one had pulled me aside and spoke to me in private I would have been humiliated. I wouldn't have shown it I'm sure. However, I would have found a more private place to, like the band room, to *play*. I'm afraid that I do have to admit the behavior would not have stopped, just become more discreet.
So what's the point? Don't just assume that because it is obvious to you then it is obvious to others. Esp. if that person is a teenager!!
Speaking to a teenager about any thing in any way can be a very tricky thing! One approach one day will be well received, the same approach on a different day may launch a temper tantrum from Hell. I guess the thing to always remember is speak the truth with/in love.
My father-in-law gave the good advise of always ask questions. In asking questions you learn where the person really is in their thinking and lots of times the right questions asked will cause the person to see the answer with out you having to tell them.
OK, now that I've preached to the choir, I'm going to read my own advise and try to apply it.
Have a Happy Sunday!
Follow Up
I wrote a post a bit ago entitled Amazing. While I didn't spell out what was going on I did share things and ask you to pray.
When I wrote that post I knew what needed to be done but was more than a little worried about how things would come about. At some point along the way I learned a verse: sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. It just amazes me the bits and pieces of verses that I remember. What REALLY amazes me is what the verse REALLY says when I can actually find what I remember of the verse in the Bible. Anyhow, I actually found the verse in Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. What's the point? I just knew in my heart that when I followed through with what had to be done I was going to experience one mighty whirlwind.
In fact what I experienced was the truth of the entirety of Romans 8:28 And we all know that all things work for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. There was no whirlwind, I believe because the whole situation was undergirded by prayer. I do so love the Lord, even though I forget just how mighty and grace giving that He is. Don't get me wrong, because of a decision that I made my life is a bit my complicated than it would be had I made a different decision. That's ok though because my faith has grown and my trust in Him has been strengthened. I thank you all for your prayers.
On a less serious note. The dog odor was kind of, sort of resolved. The carpet was cleaned with a rented Rug doctor and any odor killing chemicals that I could add to the mix. The dogs now sleep in the laundry room, not on the furniture and when we aren't home they stay outside. Right now the weather is cooperating with the plan. If it snaps cold again the outside idea may need to be adjusted.
I'm still praying about what would be best in regards to schooling my son. Right now the plan is to stay put and knuckle down with more consistency. I still feel in my heart that a change would be best. However, Michael has ask that no changes be made until the end of this year. While I believe that 5 months is a LONG time to be miserable I will abide by his decision. Like I said, I will continue to pray and try to stick with a routine that works for Kevin.
When I wrote that post I knew what needed to be done but was more than a little worried about how things would come about. At some point along the way I learned a verse: sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. It just amazes me the bits and pieces of verses that I remember. What REALLY amazes me is what the verse REALLY says when I can actually find what I remember of the verse in the Bible. Anyhow, I actually found the verse in Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. What's the point? I just knew in my heart that when I followed through with what had to be done I was going to experience one mighty whirlwind.
In fact what I experienced was the truth of the entirety of Romans 8:28 And we all know that all things work for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. There was no whirlwind, I believe because the whole situation was undergirded by prayer. I do so love the Lord, even though I forget just how mighty and grace giving that He is. Don't get me wrong, because of a decision that I made my life is a bit my complicated than it would be had I made a different decision. That's ok though because my faith has grown and my trust in Him has been strengthened. I thank you all for your prayers.
On a less serious note. The dog odor was kind of, sort of resolved. The carpet was cleaned with a rented Rug doctor and any odor killing chemicals that I could add to the mix. The dogs now sleep in the laundry room, not on the furniture and when we aren't home they stay outside. Right now the weather is cooperating with the plan. If it snaps cold again the outside idea may need to be adjusted.
I'm still praying about what would be best in regards to schooling my son. Right now the plan is to stay put and knuckle down with more consistency. I still feel in my heart that a change would be best. However, Michael has ask that no changes be made until the end of this year. While I believe that 5 months is a LONG time to be miserable I will abide by his decision. Like I said, I will continue to pray and try to stick with a routine that works for Kevin.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Next Please
Michael went to the commissary shopping with me today. As we shopped he suddenly said Next Please. Then he shared with me this story:
He was sitting at his desk at work the other day doing what he does. Other Marines were in the same office or shop as he calls it, but all was quiet. Then he randomly with out thought says out loud, "Next Please." He said the whole shop cracked up.
For those of you that have shopped in a military grocery store you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who don't; the store has many registers but we form one LONG line and there is an electronic voice and a visual number that lights up to tell you which register is able to check you out. So, if you are an Arnett you find yourself randomly saying next please while you shop. Or, in Michael's case while he's in the shop. :)
He was sitting at his desk at work the other day doing what he does. Other Marines were in the same office or shop as he calls it, but all was quiet. Then he randomly with out thought says out loud, "Next Please." He said the whole shop cracked up.
For those of you that have shopped in a military grocery store you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who don't; the store has many registers but we form one LONG line and there is an electronic voice and a visual number that lights up to tell you which register is able to check you out. So, if you are an Arnett you find yourself randomly saying next please while you shop. Or, in Michael's case while he's in the shop. :)
Why?!
I was excited about today because Michael took Kevin to school and then he and Gab went to Palm Springs to pick up Penny. (Mike's step mother, known as Mema) Which means I was at home alone! Let the cleaning commence.
I started at 0730. I was smart and started in the front of the house. I got stuck at the spice cabinet. It had gotten really cluttered and in straitening it out I discovered that I had numerous repeats. So I combined as much as I could. Then I did the same with my pantry. Then I realized that I was running out of time! I kicked it into high gear and managed to get all but my bedroom and bath room done. I even got myself cleaned up. :) Man it feels so good!! I have order in my being again. Michael told Penny that I either clean to operating standards or I don't clean at all. Translation: when I clean I do a great job. It's the when part that really tries his patience. I always tell myself that I'm going to stay on top of it this time. Well, I'm off to a good start. He helped with supper and the kitchen is clean with every thing put away. Yea me.
I started at 0730. I was smart and started in the front of the house. I got stuck at the spice cabinet. It had gotten really cluttered and in straitening it out I discovered that I had numerous repeats. So I combined as much as I could. Then I did the same with my pantry. Then I realized that I was running out of time! I kicked it into high gear and managed to get all but my bedroom and bath room done. I even got myself cleaned up. :) Man it feels so good!! I have order in my being again. Michael told Penny that I either clean to operating standards or I don't clean at all. Translation: when I clean I do a great job. It's the when part that really tries his patience. I always tell myself that I'm going to stay on top of it this time. Well, I'm off to a good start. He helped with supper and the kitchen is clean with every thing put away. Yea me.
Nothing!
That is exactly what I accomplished yesterday. Unless you count the fact that I did get up and dressed and delivered the kids to school. Returned the rug doctor, came home and read blogs. Then I made a 1200 appointment and begin the pick up the kids routine. I even managed to put supper on the table. I didn't do not one thing to clean up though. Oh, and I finished the secular book that I was reading and talked on the phone for a while.
Nothing productive. Course you have to understand that where I live getting kids to their respective places can take a good hour or more.
However, I went to bed excited about today!
Nothing productive. Course you have to understand that where I live getting kids to their respective places can take a good hour or more.
However, I went to bed excited about today!
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