L.L. Cool PJ

   So, I wasn't planning on a sleepover.  It just kind of happened.  There I was, ready to say good-bye to Lucy's friend, when two pairs of eyes met mine.  I don't know how they did it, but all four of those eyes became cartoonishly huge.  Sweetness spilled out of every fiber of their being.  All the while I'm going through my mental to-do list,  "Newsletter has to be designed and ordered tonight, clients need to be contacted regarding their orders, receipts need to be issued, bloggies will be expecting a new post, checkbook balanced, costume made (cue Gloria), etc."  Just as my tongue hit the roof of my mouth to pronounce the "n" sound in "No",  Lucy, (without whining - that's key) made her request known, as she proceeded to tell me all the reasons she felt it would be the right thing for me to do.  "Mom, you always said I couldn't have a sleepover until Noah slept all night, and now he does." She wasn't finished. "AND, you and Dad said I couldn't have anybody overnight because he was going on a trip, and would miss me so he wanted me all to himself for awhile.  YOU said that when he left you would consider letting me have a friend spend the night.  It is a week-end so there's no school tomorrow and Dad will be home soon and want to spend more time with just me."  She's good I tell you, sinisterly good.
      And you know what,  I didn't realize it, but I desperately needed a slumber party.  It's refreshing to get away from the hectic, busy, task oriented life and enjoy a precious life moment.  There is an unequaled joy that comes with listening to seven year olds talk about how cute that boy actor is.  "Yeah, he's soo cute I would probably kiss him. Giggle giggle".  "Um yeah, giggle-snort, but not until you were married."  Thank you, Lauren, for your high moral standards.  I hope that rubs off a bit on the ministers' child:)
    
     Thank God Lucy was so darn convincing, because I was so zonked and under pressure that whatever I did wouldn't be my best work anyway.  And when I knock it out tomorrow, only one day will have passed.  A year from now, I won't remember how I missed a night of work, but I don't think I'll ever forget Lauren's wise instruction on pre-marital relations.  In fact, I plan to smile about it often.
      
         Long story longer, Lucy won me over because she executed two biblical principles.

1. She made her request known. Aka, she ASKED politely.

 Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version)

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

2. She believed I would do what I said I would do.

Matthew 8:13 (New King James Version)

 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

The key to "getting what we want" from God is doing exactly what Lucy did tonight.  She knew the words I had spoken, she believed what I said, and she acted on it (She ASKED.)

God doesn't have a problem with us bringing up his promises and hoping for a piece of the pie.  He eagerly waits to give us good things. I find throughout His word (the Bible) his desire to give us peace, joy, greater understanding, restoration, even "non- spiritual" things like houses and money.  Oh Yeah! So I am encouraging YOU, special reader, to search his promises and believe them for your life.  And then, if you can muster the courage, (It worked for Lucy) ASK Him to give you all the things he's claimed he'll do.  What have you got to lose?  Ok, next question.  What have you got to gain?  Try it!

I've even done some research for you.  You'll find a boatload of promises from the Bible by clicking Here.  

I love you all more than you could imagine.

Christina

P.S.  Which of these promises will you apply in your life?

"Eight Point Lake by Carl Johnson" & "Today" By Lucy Lusk

Eight Point Lake:

Christina asked me to be a guest blogger. I'm honored. It seems like so much time has passed, and sometimes it seems like only a day since Micheal and Christina and I were together.

Yesterday my work took me to Eight Point Lake. My Grandfather owned a cottage on the lake there that he sold when I was six. I hadn't been back there since, until yesterday.

I have to imagine that you could count the number of times I was there, but for me it was endless. We rode there in a station wagon that didn't have electronic ignition or fuel injection. There was no phone there, I don't think it mattered. I remember a small TV with rabbit ears, but I don't remember it being on much. I remember my dad and uncles sporting crew cuts. They were younger then than I am now.

I remember in the evenings we would bring the inner tubes into the yard. My cousins and I would roll them with someone inside, or bounce on them. We smelled like OFF. Inside the grown-ups would start a fire in the fireplace, and we'd roast marshmallows.

Yesterday I was at the lake to repair a telephone problem. I tried to find that cottage. Last I heard someone had renovated it and now lives there. As I drove around the lake I got disoriented. I had to go to another trouble call. I got out my PDA and Google mapped my location. Cell signal was weak, but it was there.

So here I am in a place I haven't been in four decades, with a truck full of the latest electronic technology, a PDA in my hand, a bluetooth in my ear, leaving the home of a customer happily surfing the internet. I'm there, wishing I could just bounce on an inner tube or roast a marshmallow. I wiped a couple tears away on my shirt sleeve.

I think often about the kids in my class. What will they long for? The good old days of dropped cell phone calls? Cars with tires? Reality television shows?


Carl (C.J) S. Johnson


This is me, Christina now:
Man, that post brought back many memories of my own childhood (I could go for a marshmallow right now).  Carl is huge into being an awesome husband and father.  He has provided a link to an fantastic website that can help you become an amazing (or even more amazing!) parent as well.  Check it out.  They're even offering a FREE conference with lunch and childcare provided.  http://www.foundationalparenting.org

As a bonus:

"Today" by Lucy Lusk

today I went to school.then I went to reading class which we don't read .We make videos. But we we're
suposed to make a book. After that I went to Cici's pizza with my mom. I ate pizza and a breadstick. I
even got dessert! that was the best day of my life!

I call my friend Jordan's mealworm poopy because he poop's a lot.
Lucy.

Rub a dub-dub...turds in the tub.

   No, I didn't set out to attract five year old blog followers (although I'll take 'em if they're interested - boosts my ratings!)  There really is urine on the floor and ....well, it's like the title says.  Every mom has been there... a tot in the tub (or tots, in my case), and then somebody gets warm and comfortable enough to ... Moving on.  You get the slippery culprit out of the tub, so you can clean it and refill it, in order to start again from ground zero, when suddenly you hear an alarming trickle at the same time you notice your sock is wet.  Yep, he urinated right on Mermaid Barbie's head.  It wasn't that big of a deal at that point, since I had just removed her from a much messier situation.  "Ugghh, Christina, why are you telling us all this?"  Hmm... Now that you mention it... (Look up at the description of my blog for a moment. - I guess I just felt it was my duty (pun intended).
      Technically, since I've used a word like bowel movement, I now owe you a lesson.  (It'll have to be short though, because I have to go (pun not intended), and tend to some of my one-year old's business (ok fine, pun intended in both places).

Here is the lesson, which may or may not prove itself spiritually helpful, but maybe someday you'll find yourself face-to-face with Alex Trebek as he pops a related question,  and you'll be glad you read my blog.  (Note: Alex is a very nice man - My husband has a hand written letter from him. Note again:  If you DO find yourself correctly answering related questions on a gameshow, remember Lusk World Outreach P.O. Box 394 Clio, MI)

When the King James Version of the Bible was written (waaaay back ago), people believed deep emotion stemmed from the bowels.  Today we use the word "heart".  Seriously, Google it.  And, if you can believe it, this post actually has hidden meaning and direction.  I told you this in response to a letter I received from a searching friend. She said, "I try to read my Bible (KJV), but I don't understand it.  I must be stupid or something." No my friend, you are NORMAL.  I thank God for the KJV Bible, but I rarely use it myself for the same reason you stated, it is difficult to understand (i.e. - most of us would form the incorrect mental image when we read, "She was so lovely in appearance. I felt a stirring in my bowels. ").  There are others out there now, that communicate the word of God in modern language.  I often use the New Living Translation, and my husband sticks like glue to the NKJV (New King James Version).  I hope this helped you.  (A letter from me is coming your way with more info, via snail-mail as well.)

G'night Everybody! Much love,

Christina

P.S.  I'll be stepping out of the limelight tomorrow, please enjoy tomorrow's postings by guest bloggers, Lucy Lusk and long-time friend, Carl Johnson.  I've read them both and you won't be disappointed!

God is a big fat Ham.

   God is never two-faced, but he does have many facets.  The Bible tells us of times when He is angry, happy, jealous, sad, compassionate, (oh thank goodness, I AM like Him after all, lol)  etc... Today I read about an instance where Jesus was in a show-offy kind of mood.  Oh, who am I kidding? He's always an upstager, isn't He?

  Mark 8:1-10 - The C.M. L. version of the Bible relays it like this. "Jesus was so freaking awesome that people would do anything just to be around Him.  His jokes were fresh and everyone sensed his genuine interest in every individual he met.  A crowd had followed him into the wilderness, forsaking their Nintendo Wiis and Mafia Wars for three whole days.  Eventually, the thronging grew to over 4000 people.

    Jesus looked out at the crowd, and then turned to his disciples, saying, "I feel sorry for these people.  They have been with Me for three days, and they don't have anything left to eat.  If I send them home, they will pass out before they even get there.  Some of them have come from miles and miles away."
      He turned to the disciples with cocked eyebrows.  That questioning look always made them uneasy.
  "How are we supposed to find vittles for that many hungry bellies, out in the wilderness?  HELLO, we're in the desert here." (One of them had the guts to say something like that, anyway).  Jesus responded to his question with a question. (That was kinda his M.O. with those guys.)  Jesus smirked, and said, "How much bread do you have?" "Uh, let's see, Pete, whaddya got? Ok, plus Matt's sourdough pita...that makes... seven.  Seven Loaves, Lord."
      Jesus told everybody to get comfy on the ground.  Then He took the loaves, thanked His Dad for them, and broke them into pieces.  His disciples started handing out the bread to the multitude.  Somebody gave Him a few sardines, and he blessed those too.
       Everybody ate as much as they wanted.  Afterward, the disciples gathered the leftovers into seven large baskets. Then, J.C. thanked everybody for their sacrifice, and told everyone to return home and get some rest. "
  What a show-off! (I know, you're asking me, "Christina, Do you really believe that stuff happened?")  Well, I can't say I've miraculously (yet) fed that many people.  But I have seen the lame walk, blind eyes and deaf ears open, Tumors vanish, and a soul set free.  So, I don't have too many issues buying into this, as well.  (If you're still wondering, the answer is YES!)

   The cool thing about Jesus, is that he never changes.  This nifty book I've been sharing from, tells me that He is the same yesterday, TODAY, and forever.  So, Jesus, I'm resolving right now to give you, not only everything in my refrigerator (no sardines there), but every part of my life. I thank you for the miracles I saw yesterday, the ones I'll experience today, and for the ones I'll see tomorrow.  Thank you for loving me.  As always, You are free to "Ham it up" on center stage in my life anytime.

Thanks again for reading!

Christina

P.S.  Do not google "C.M.L version of the Bible". It stands for Christina M. Lusk, and isn't yet in print.

A Portly Savior

First of all, you have been faithfully following Michael's luggage saga with DELTA AIRLINES.  So, you deserve to know LUGGAGE HAS BEEN LOCATED.  It left Flint, MI and somehow found it's way to Amsterdam, France and Canada.  He doesn't know when he will be reunited with his red roller bag, but at least it has been found.

  "I wish my suitcase was the one who came to Salta, and I was the one who got to take the intercontinental tour." - Rev. Michael Lusk

Also, I had a photo shoot today, which means, another lazy blog day.  However, I will leave you with a momento of our earlier days in ministry.  Yes, believe it or not, we were VERY funny clowns with a pretty substantial following in South America.  We can juggle, make balloon animals, and snort whipped cream with the best of them.  Now you know.

This photo:

Rosa the clown (me),  tries to explain to Gordo about the Superhero with the mightiest powers.  Gordo pauses, thinks, and humorously interrupts with several incorrect guesses.  Can you figure out who Rosa was really talking about? You guys are just soooo smart.  Good guess.


Rest well tonight my bloggies.  I pray for you daily.

In love,

Christina

For the Mums.

Happy Mother's Day!


This post is unique because I am giving you the opportunity to choose happy or heavy; kind of like an alternate ending.  Writers of "Ladder 49" please take note.  (I did not like balling on a bus in front of all those strangers.)


    If you're in a jovial type mood, the author of this blog recommends clicking here, where you will be re-directed to a previous post involving a brilliantly clever, dimpled darling, and her wise mother.


However, if you think you can hack it, I encourage you to click the link below.  But remember to come back to this page so you can email (click the envelope icon) it to share it with someone else.  I love you, especially you Mom.  You had all the "right reasons" to end my life before I independently breathed my first breath.  I'm just as grateful you didn't end it "after" I was born either. LOL.  Thank you for the opportunity of life. Have a wonderful Mother's Day everyone.


                    


                       CLICK HERE

Don't get MAD. Get GLAD!

Oops, you did it again.  Yeah, I'm talking to you, DELTA AIRLINES.

So, my husband and I have come to accept our 50% lost luggage ratio when we travel with this particular  airline.  (Note: ALWAYS make room for an extra pair of skivvies in your carry-on. - Note Again: NEVER make room for an extra pair of tweezers in your carry-on.) However, Delta has never (before now) erroneously shipped our belongings to multiple nations on the wrong continent .  They have my full standing ovation for that one.  I am truly impressed.  Michael, I have the utmost respect for you, coordinating these nation-wide events.  It is even more impressive that you are poised to do it naked.  Imagine the publicity. (I for one will be tuning into the live feed;)
     Dear reader, please stay with me. I promise I am about to make a point. And because I love you,  I will include a story, in effort to recoup from last night's poorly executed weed smokin' post:)

Here goes, It is a long one, but I will try to shrink it down as much as possible.

We had been in Argentina for two months (seven years ago).  It had been a tremendous victory for us, but it had also been far more trying than we had imagined.  Before the move, I was feeling pretty good about using my Spanish for two months on this amazing adventure.  It was the one class in high school that I did pretty well in.   I pulled out all the guns on only the first day, and soon realized I hadn't as much ammo as I had imagined.  As it turns out, "Hello.  Where's the bathroom?" and "Do you like the salad?" will only get you so far. Also, I had almost died from Pneumonia.  ( We never shared that with any of you before because my mother is already feeling only so-so about this whole, daughter-in-a-foreign-country bit.) In addition to the aforementioned dilemas, I had, in a moment of frustration, torn apart my 500 page "How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Baby" books.  "Where in God's name do you get alkaline-infused organic mango-cranberry juice in this country anyway!?" To say the very least, when it came time to visit home, we were ready.  We loaded up in a taxi and trusted Argentina's  Evil Caneval, to get us to the airport safely.  We were concerned about how our little Lucy would handle the five hour drive.  Fortunately for her, we made it in only three.

Part Two:  The Airport (full story will have to be it's own post)

Arriving two hours ahead of schedule, we had some time to kill.  Lucy and I did some shopping, while Michael sat on a bench doing the same thing he does after an hour with me in the mall (stayed with the bags and begged for water).  Paying six-times more than what we could have paid for the same thing hours ago completed (We had to get rid of those pesos somehow.),  the three of us proceeded toward our gate, excited to be headed back to the good ol' U. S. of A.

Part Three:  The gate (I know it's getting long...)

"Michael, our gate must've changed because that sign does not say Miami.  It says Paris."
Nope, our flight had been re-scheduled. We would be there another day.  It may not have been that big of an issue, 'cept we was broke with nowhere to go.  I was about to seriously blow up on somebody, anybody at that point. Thankfully, my husband got to me before anybody needed to bust out the pepper spray. "Let's be calm about this,  I think this is one of those pray and trust God kind of moments." (My criminal record is still grateful for those anointed words of wisdom.)  We did just that.  God did amazing miracles, and it worked out better than we could've imagined. (Different post guys.)

What I'm getting at is this;  there are going to be moments where you have the opportunity to be flaming mad, and nobody would blame you for it.  But if we hold our tongues, and give God an opportunity to show Himself instead, we will never be disappointed.  He will work it out even better than we could have planned.  Michael may never see his suits again, (he may), but he knows God's provision well enough to know it will all work out,  IF he allows the creator of the universe to get involved.  I am sure looking forward to the awesome story of how God takes care of the situation.  Don't worry, I'll let you know what happens.

The moral of the story seems pretty evident to me, but it is way past my bedtime and I have some doubts about my coherency.  I may have to revise after a nights sleep.  Let me know if you get it.

 I LOVE YOU ALL,

Christina