Mama said there'd be days...

        Those of you who know me personally, or follow this blog, know well that I am not a bad mood kind of a gal.   But once in a blue moon...

  Last Friday, the moon was a particularly lovely shade of cobalt.

       The night before had been a "popcorn" night.  (Look for an earlier blog entry about "noogies" to locate the definition of "popcorn nights".)  I finally got to bed around four.  I missed the alarm... which means Lucy missed the bus.  I quick grabbed (sorry for wording things like a six-year-old sometimes, we read a lot of "Junie B. Jones" in this house.  It rubs off on you.) my husband's ball cap and jacket and flew out the door with both critters.  Fortunately, I got her to school on time.  As I pulled up to the school, the gym teacher, Mr. K, chivalrously opened the door for her.  He greeted me as well, just before he said, "Say goodbye to your dad, Lucy."  Nice. (Ok, the good news is that even on bad days I don't offend easily.  After a few moments, I saw the humor in that incidence.)
  
     Did I mention I had severe cold?

     I watched a little CNN.  Seven people were shot at an airport in Honduras - names to be released..., 18 people were killed in a Honduran factory, a hurricane was flooding Honduras, Mudslides were sending cars down mountains in Honduras...

   Did I mention my husband was in Honduras?

Deep breaths... "why are you downcast o my soul... He puts His angels 'round about... The Lord is my Shepherd..."

     I turned the TV off.

I'd been hired to face paint (dressed as a cartoon character) at a birthday party which was to take place the following morning.  I had been needing some very specific supplies, and hadn't been able to find them.  So, I ventured out to search for them one last time...

   Six stores later, and still no luck... (Come on Holy Spirit!  I've begged you to show me where I can find this stuff! )

Deep breaths... "If God is for me... Ask and you shall receive... Seek and you shall..."

   Did I mention I was menstruating?

I decided it was probably time for some retail therapy.  Aha! At last I could see some light at the end of the tunnel... My favorite shoe store had posted a ginormous sign in the window. "ENTIRE STORE BUY ONE GET TWO FREE!!!"  Except... they only had one pair my size...

At this point I had to actually go outside the store for my deep breaths, because I knew if I didn't, I was going attack the salesman, who, had called me, "Sunshine" a few too many times.


And since this is getting too long, and I've an inkling I've already lost half of you, I'm going to try and wrap it up.

I found my way to a friends's house that evening, who, upon seeing me in an unnatural state, sat me down on her couch, put on a delightful movie, served me a cup of tea, and fed me a dinner so delicious it made my knees wobble.

I apologized for my unChrist-like demeanor, and explained to her how I was just a bit tired and frustrated because I couldn't find such-and-such items at any store, and... the love of my life was MIA several thousand miles away.

Do you know what that crazy woman did?  She left me (and who could blame her?).  Actually, she went to the store.  She brought back supplies to create the very things I lacked.  She also brought chocolate, and more importantly, her mother.

These two master craftswomen, worked late into the night, CHEERFULLY EVEN, making the very things I had hunted for.  Halfway through the project, they called me into the room.  They embraced me and prayed that Michael would be able to contact me, to inform me he was safe, and they prayed that the party would go smoothly.  Astounded by the love I was surrounded by, I cried a little... maybe I cried a lot.

I left that night, absorbed in a simple truth... Jesus cares about me, He wants to give me the very best, even when I feel so unworthy of it...

Happy deep breaths...

"For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God."

                                                                                       Ephesians 2:8 

Know what?  He wants that for you too.

Love,

Me

PS.  The party was FANTASTIC.  Thank you  - Gloria, Michele, Sandy, & Judy.  I love you dearly. 


PPS. - I happened upon four pairs of shoes that weekend... $10 for the lot - less than I would have paid at the "buy one, get two" sale.  

PPPS.  I checked my email when I got home that night.  Michael had sent me a message at the very same time those heaven-sent women prayed for me :) 


PPPPS.  I'm picking him up from the airport in an hour.

   

Church, it's not just for prudes anymore.

    Hi there!

     We're approaching Autumn quickly now, and I can happily report that my plans to get a book into print by the end of Fall are coming along just swimmingly.  Fall of which year, I will disclose in a future entry.  Just kidding.  I hope to have you all buying it up as a Christmas gift for someone who might actually enjoy my so-so grammar and corny jokes.... Ok, think of who you could give it to.... Oh, come now, there must be someone...

    And other matters...

   My brain is all frizzly wizzly today.... I could write about the neighbors enthusiastically chanting my name this morning, as I did a fifty meter dash in stilettos. (I thought my two-year-old was right behind me as  I opened the car door to buckle him in.  I was sadly mistaken.  Stealthy little guy.)

   Or, the incredibly cheesy joke my pastor opened with. "Guy is checking out at the grocery store.  Bagger asks, "Paper or Plastic, Sir?"  Guy replies, "Either one,  I'm bisacksual."  -  I know, we didn't laugh either.

     But, I've got this gnawing feeling that I should be telling you all something very insightful, something that will lift your spirits, challenge you,  and set you on the right path... the one leading you into greatness.

      So, I will tell you what did that for me today.   Today, I went to a great church.  The people were friendly and the Pastor taught from the Bible.  There was nothing religious or ceremonious about it.  Everyone there was dressed rather comfortably, except pour moi.  (Note: - You may think you look stylish in high heels and chandelier earings...but chasing a toddler through the mud, and having your piercings widened by a millimeter by chubby tugging fingers, in public, really just makes you look silly.)  The scriptures in the bible were explained in a loving manner by someone who genuinely wanted to help folks.  The music was good, and the words were on a screen so I could sing along.  The kids were having a blast in their classes, while they learned valuable life lessons as well.  We were given a sheet of notes that we could review and learn even more when left church.... I had a great time...

     Do I go to church every Sunday?... Pretty much, yeah.  Sometimes, I'm the one behind the pulpit (the thing the preacher stands behind and reads his/her notes.  Except for my pastor can't stay still, so it's just there for looks.)

   "Christina, what are you trying to say?"

If you don't have a church, you should consider finding one.  Reading the Bible is awesome.  Praying is fantastic.  But, the Bible says we should also meet together with other Christians.   I highly, highly, HIGHLY RECOMMEND going to a church that is lively, FUN, and does things to help others. You can use this one as a model.  (Ok, I'm bias because you might find a picture of me on the site.)

                                                              FAITHCITY.TV


 Hebrews 10:25

       Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another...
  


I sure hope this helps somebody today....    I really care.  Love you's


    The Incredible Edible - Wait.  I mean,  The Exraordinary Ordinary Me. 
           

another half-baked post...

Thought of the day #1

Heaven is highly populated with children... so, does it get messy there too?   'Cause, when I'm dead I think I'd enjoy an eternal break from dishes and picking up Leggos.  I'll be happy to wash Jesus's feet, but the buck stops there.

                           Warning: completely unrelated material to follow

Today, I helped my grandma pull up the last of the carrots in her garden.  And I thought it would be nice (since she's making me, YET ANOTHER COSTUME), to make her some carrot cupcakes.

I ended up having more batter than cupcake liners, which led me to:

Thought of the day #2

What happens when you make a pancake out of regular cake batter?

So far so good...

Hmm... We'll never do that again, probably.

Well, at least the cupcakes turned out nicely.

I aint, double, got no, negative, cream cheese so I guess I'll be frosting these babies tomorrow.

Perhaps my "helpers" will be assisting me then as well.

I leave their stools out, just in case.

Live well, my Bloggies.

'night.

Noah's Birthday by Lucy Lusk

A couple weeks ago was Noah's birthday. It was dirt party. My grandma and grandpa put the party
together but my mom asked them to do the party at their house. The party was a blast! There were
slip n slides and especially DIRT!

Get dirty,

Lucy

Digestive Reader

"You're a bad Christian, Sancho, because you never forget any insult you ever receive.  But men of noble and generous heart do not pay attention to trivialities." - Don Quijote

   Good morning, friends.  Pot 'o coffee brewed,  crickets humming, and I've been ministered to by a delusional fictional character.  All in all, it's been a pretty terrific morning.

     I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, these scarce little moments.  You moms know what I'm talking about.  The tots are enjoying themselves at Grandma's house, and you are completely alone.  We become like kids and silence is our candy store.  Honestly, I wasn't sure where to begin this morning.  I greeted God (who, by-the-way, returned my salutation), meditated briefly on some of His generous promises, and then gleefully skipped past the dirty dishes, unclipped coupons, and toys on the floor, straight to the shelves laden with unread bounty.  It had been so long since I had indulged myself.  Who would I tackle first?  Grisham, Leman, Crichton?  I closed my eyes and spun around, determined to read whichever book my outstretched finger touched.... Dr. Seuss.... Seriously? How did that get in there?  Redo.

      This time I struck gold.  Miguel de Cervantes.  I forgot how funny that guy was.  Michael and I used to read through his "Don Quijote" together.  We would end up laughing at anything that was written in it, like a couple of happy drunks.  (We weren't drunk... just happy.)  We should do that again.  I'll bring the book on our TBD vacation.

What inspirational thing will you read today? ("Christina, I'm reading your blog, he he he.", doesn't count.)

Thanks for stopping by, you faithful, faithful,  Bloggeroonies,

I prayed for you today,


Christina

P.S.   It's awfully quiet around here.  I sure do miss the kids.

Protective Services Anyone?

  It was just Noah and myself today, and I had an itch to play with the irresistible blonde creature.  Feeling more than a bit sluggish after a series of popcorn nights, I put on a pot of coffee.  As my French roast brewed, we engaged ourselves in our favorite game, mom-hides-behind-kitchen-island-and-yells "Boo!" as-toddler-approaches,  while toddler politely screams and shrieks even though he sees the whole thing coming - about thirty times.  Thirty times about did me in, so naturally we moved on to another favorite.  Mom-lies-on-floor-while-two-year-old-crawls-and-jumps-all-over-her game.  Somehow, in the mist of the pile driving, I must've fallen asleep.  I woke up all tingly, like bloodflow to my lower body had completely ceased.  Noah was sitting on me, eating Cheez-Its out of a box that looked like it had been shaken apart by a bulldog, watching Curious George on PBS kids. (The TV wasn't on when I entered my comatose state.)
    Alarmed by my unintentional nap, I made my way to the still-full coffee pot.  Crunch, crunch... I looked down.  Ahh, Cheerios, and a shredded cereal box that perfectly matched the Cheez-It packaging.

  Parenting life gives you many options.  You can grumble about the messes and extra work, or you can let your eyes water with the thought that these messy moments are so fleeting.

     I chose to smile as we finished the episode of Curious George side by side, sipping coffee and juice, as we ate crackers off the floor.  And now, my faithful blog readers, I must bid you ado, as I scurry off to tidy up todays adventures.  I leave you with a beautiful quote from my friend Drea.

"Life's full of uncertainty. Pivotal moments can change the course of the journey & your outlook towards it. Optimism fuels endurance for adventures unknown." - Drea Jewell


       "

A beautiful Day for a Neighbor(ette)

Hey bloggeroonies,

    It's been awhile.  My intention was to do a simple daily photo blog during the summer.  That, however, didn't prove to be that interesting, apparently, because feedback plummeted like a feather in a vacuum.  So, I stopped.  But,  regardless this busy summer schedule, I thought it fitting to dedicate an entry to one of my dearest neighbors.  (We have now reached the point in the blog where the author breaks into song.  It's tricky tonight though, because I am equally torn between the theme to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and "Sandy" from Grease.  It's a toughy, but because the coin landed heads-up, we must go with zippered sweaters.)

     I am blessed to report that we have many wonderful neighbors nearby, but there's this one super-human, do-gooder that surpasses the other mere mortals in the remaining double-wide dwellings.   Get this,

The woman (occasionally with the help of her male and female offspring) :

Made me breakfast in bed on Mother's Day (Michael & kids were out of town).

Helped us load luggage into the van at 5am. (She's nuts.)

Feeds Buddy and Becky (carassius auratus) when we're away.

Frequently brings edible goodies

Leaves donations to Lusk World Outreach inbetween the doors.

The list goes on and on, but perhaps the most meaningful thing of all, she's a shining example of the cheerful selflessness of Christ.

Happy Birthday, Sandy Roberts.  Your a pal and a confidant (Ok, new songs.)

Be encouraged by the Lord today with this special birthday greeting from Him.

Love you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."