Cape Cod

Vacation was spent the first week of June in Brewster, MA (at Cape Cod). This was our first trip to The Cape (as it is affectionately called in these parts). This was among one of my favorite vacations, right up there with Kauai, Hawaii.

We stayed at a home rental known as The Barn. It is a pole barn (no nails used in the construction) that was built into a home (this being the original conception). It had a lovely loft, but we primarily stayed on the main level.

At this juncture, it has been an entire week since returning, so as I recollect my time there, I will not necessarily be keeping days and events in sequence, though I will try my best to do so.

We cruised the small, rural town of Brewster with its quaint cape cod homes, many of them with victorian details. Some of these are centuries old, and several are former sea captain homes. There were windmills and grist mills as well as marshes and beaches all along the cape. Brewster is a well preserved community that has held fast to its heritage and the old charms of the era. They have no fast food joints, and the locals still gather together on the porch of the town coffee shop and talk politics, etc. Families still swim in the little streams, that become larger streams as the tides come in. It is a place where you feel like you've stepped back in time and enjoy the old, simple ways of living.

We pretty much visited every little town, or at least passed through them in the area. Each town has a different flavor, some are artsy, some touristy, some commercialized. I'm very glad we stayed in Brewster as opposed to Hyannis where we originally considered staying, which is very much a city, with heavy traffic (not my idea of a vacation).

Apparently we picked the right time to visit, just before the tourist season, but still at a point where it was warm...before school lets out... (they say that right away, when school is back in session, is another ideal time to visit, as the tourists have left). We didn't have to contend with traffic and crowded beaches.

We went to Provincetown (sadly this town has been taken over by gays and lesbians, so their peace/rainbow flags were waving all over the place), but we went first thing in the morning before the town was stirring and avoided them. We went to First Encounter and to where they docked the Mayflower at the tip of Provincetown (here is a monument and very small park dedicated to the the Pilgrims). This would have been the general area where Peregrine White would have born born, in port, aboard the Mayflower (of whom I am a direct descendant).

We visited Truro Vineyard and did a tour and wine tasting. They have won a good number of awards both nationally and internationally. I very much enjoyed their wines. Truro is where it is thought that, during the scouting of the land, the Pilgrims first found fresh water, very needful for their preservation given they were surrounded by salt water with marshes, the cape, and the ocean.

The beaches are beautiful along the cape. Lighthouses and windmills dot the landscape. Seals and gulls share the waters with the visitors, keeping a safe distance, though still unbelievably close. The sunsets were amazing on the cape waters. Along the east coast it's not often one gets to enjoy the sun setting on the waters, but rather the sunrise. I have long missed the sunsets from the west coast, and still do for that matter. This was a close runner up to that!

We spent one day in Plymouth and saw Plymouth Rock (it was under a portico undergoing construction, so not worth taking pictures). We also visited the Plymouth Hall Museum which was really informative and had great exhibits. Sadly, they would not allow photography or video cameras in the exhibit areas, so I was only able to take pictures outside.

It was funny that, while at the museum, I was trying to watch the informational movie; just outside the viewing area a couple of people kept talking so loud that I could hardly hear. I kept turning to give them "the eye", hoping they would get the hint, but to no avail. I finally turned and did a loud, "shhhh!" I later learned it was the Governor and a museum staffer. He had come for the day to do a commemorative dedication for the upcoming 400th year that will be celebrated very soon. So, I have to laugh at myself for having shhhh-ed the Governor of Massachusettes.

While at Plymouth we also boarded/toured the Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship. It is amazing how little living space these folks had; it is said they were regarded as cargo. I really enjoyed visiting Plymouth, and had I more time or could have planned better, I would have liked to have visited Marshfield and Scituate, as these were towns that were settled by my ancestors after the initial settlement of Plymouth. Edward Winslow and Susanna White (widow of William White) settled Marshfield with her two children and utimately four more they had together. I'm sure there would be plenty of historical information about them there.

Plymouth was probably the high point of my trip, as I cannot help but consider God's providence upon my life in preserving this lineage. It amazes me as I read Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 by William Bradford, how much history is still preserved along the cape, all throughout the area (not just Plymouth).

A close runner up to the day at Plymouth was the day we took the ferry over to Martha's Vineyard. We rented a little convertible crossfire car and rode around with the top down. We visited all but one of the towns. This is a very special place for sure! We especially enjoyed talking with two locals Mike and Jackie, whose son owns a rental beach home next to Michael J. Fox. We just hung out eating local, fresh seafood that the fishermen had just brought in off the boats. There we sat on crates outside Larsen's in Menemsha overlooking the dock. Mike and his wife Jackie were so down to earth and told us about the island, the best places to visit, etc.

We had such a great time; the area has some very rural countryside/farmland with horses, huge ponds, etc. but also has some very charming towns that are artsy, historical, and even victorian communities. It was very fun cruising around all day, the wind whipping through our hair and being able to, on a whim, stroll a beach, or duck into a little restaurant/bar for clams and drinks while watching the sailboats from the patio.

When back to Brewster we enjoyed more beach time. We visited Nausette, Marconi and other beaches, and popped into a little local museum that told about the life/history of the area. We took in a double feature at the drive-in movie, as well as visiting the Brewster Grist Mill site where there is a huge pond (reported to have been fed by several other ponds/lakes) and built with locks to channel the water for powering the grist mill. It is no longer in use, but is still quite a beautiful sight, with abundant water fowl, a fish run of herring, as well a huge snapper turtle. This santuary with clean running streams and small water falls and bridges was within short walking distance from The Barn where we stayed, as was the Paine's Creek site where we observed the stunning sunsets. It was amazing to see the green grassy marshes one day, and then a few days later, have them all under water for the tide.

Cape Cod is definitely one of those places that calls you back for another visit.

On our final day we packed up the car to return home. We checked in one last time with Dave and Judy (parents of the home owner Craig) and neighboring hosts during our stay. We were treated to the most amazing personal tour of their home and garden. Dave is a landscaper by trade and his wife is a stone sculptist. The garden at their home was amazing. It ramble on as though one room to the next, but instead of walls of drywall, were walls of trees, shrubs, grasses, and varying art sculpture. Inside their actual home Judy showed me her handiwork with a relief plaster of paris wall landscape mural she had done in her foyer, a border crafted of actual shells and marine life was featured in their kitchen, and a whimsical faux painted book shelf inter-mixed with real 3-D book bindings was strategically placed around her desk in her office space. It was like a magic playland inside and out! Dave showed us their little secret hideout where they camp in a rustic bedroom shack that lets in breezes, and told us how they once camped the whole winter season without heat! They simply piled blanket upon blanket in 8 degree weather. Granted these two are retired citizens. They simply enjoy life and embrace it at every turn! What a wonderful treat that was...

We took the long way home via Newport, stopping in Misquamicut where I ate a famous lobster roll with locally brewed beer, and rested once more upon the beach at Atlantic Avenue.

We finally arrived home to a very big surprise! While on vacation for the week, Walter had arranged for some friends of ours to do a living room and kitchen make-over. David was in on it as well. What a surprise to come home to an amazingly beautiful new living room and improved kitchen. I had no idea this had been in the works, they had been planning this for weeks, even months. I was totally clueless! Talk about keeping a secret... Friends of ours had even put some flowers in the yard at the entries. So, thinking I was coming home from a surreal vacation to reality, I instead came home to more of the surreal!

It was so funny, because just the week prior to taking my vacation, upon reading a little book called As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, I decided to embrace God's providence upon my life and try and be content with the home I have, to make the most of what I have, with what I have. I started a mini home improvement project of fixing the water damage in the bathroom. I sanded, I painted, and decided I would try and love this little place the best I could and that if I would do this, God would bless me. Well, this was definitely a quick response on God's part to bless me back on account of endeavoring to embrace contentment more.

You can never out do God!

Thank you to my friends and family who allowed God to work such a sweet work in your hearts to bless little ole me! I am moved beyond words!

My beloved son, David...Congratulations!

David is graduating high school this upcoming Friday! I am so very proud of him and this accomplishment. Neither Walter nor myself finished, but rather went on to get our GEDs, Walter doing so ahead of his class, my doing so after David was 2 or 3 years old.

I am so excited that Mom may be coming out for the event. We're still trying to coordinate details of her dialysis, but it actually looks do-able! I wish Dad could come out too, but he insists it's too much of an expense to put on us. I cannot help but wonder if it has to do with simply getting older and not wanting to fly such a distance though. Walter's mom doesn't like travelling far like she used to, and recouperating from travel is not as easy when you're older as when you're a young thing. So Dad, if you are reading this, I understand. I hope that is what is truly the hindrance here and not some imposition on us with money. Money is meant to be used in meaningful ways, and David's graduation with grandparents in attendance is very meaningful.

To brag briefly (doting over my loving son), David will be graduating while having taken a vigorous course load this past year. I appreciate this most about him; he endeavors to challenge himself rather than to coast with easy, no brainer classes. He took three AP classes (college level courses) in addition to Spanish III. Granted, he's not the most organized person in the world, so he didn't always turn in assignments on account of not being able to find them, or forgetting to bring homework assignments home in order to complete them. Give that boy a wife that can help keep order and he will be able to do just about anything (just so long as it doesn't bore him).

Boredom is the very reason he took challenging courses as opposed to the easy ones he could have opted for to ensure a high GPA, but he wouldn't do it. He felt that would be a waste of his time to spend day after day in an environment where he is not learning anything. For that I commend him most highly! He has great integrity of heart in matters such as these. He wants to be able to look himself in the eye and know he's growing...improving...being challenged...

I couldn't ask for more in a son who loves God, honors his parents, and takes inventory of his own heart and life to want do what is right and honorable.

I love you David.

Blog Quiz: How Stressed Are You?

I thought this would be an appropriate quiz to take in light of my recent rantings about the serious need for a vacation. I guess I really do need to have a Calgon moment!

Take the quiz and see what your stress level is...

http://www.blogthings.com/howstressedareyouquiz/outcome.php

My results:
Your Stress Level is: 65%
You are prone to stress, and you're probably even pretty stressed right now. Life's problems seem to pile up on you, and this often makes you feel depressed and burned out. Learn to take time to relax and enjoy life, even if things are stressful. It's the only way you'll get through the bad times.

What Kind of Wine Are You?

Take the quiz and post your answers...
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofwineareyouquiz/outcome.php

My results:

You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!).
Deep down you are: Dependable and modest
Your partying style: Understated and polite
Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

Blog Quiz: How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

Take the quiz and post your answer...

My results:

You Are 40% Boyish and 60% Girlish
You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch.Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes.You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them.You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be.

http://www.blogthings.com/howboyishorgirlishareyouquiz/

Vacation Plans & Other Stuff

So folks, PEI is out of the picture this year. We found out it would be too much time to drive it (almost a full day lost on either end) and flying was going to take four flights with customs...a bit overkill for somewhere that should take an hour or two to fly. So, we are opting for a relaxing stay at Cape Cod (in Brewster, MA). I think it will still do what I need this vacation to do, give me an escape so that I can recharge.

Sorry I have neglected my Blog this past month. It has been pretty crazy these days with David going to Tennessee, then to Italy/Spain. Besides gearing up for graduation and our Limb Day this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. At work it has also been a bit crazy, as we were packing to move to a new building two blocks down. This was a big move, but it makes a lot of sense, as there was so much wasted space at the former site and the move will help the company save around 1/2 million dollars in rent each year. This will help people keep their jobs. Sad news this past week...a gentleman that worked for the building and would greet me most every morning committed suicide. It was totally unexpected and everyone (including myself) was sure that the rumor must be a mistake, but sadly, it turned out that it was him. It truly came as a shocker to see someone like him give up hope at such a tender age. He was only 28.

On a more cheerful note, though, after that, it feels more like meloncholy... I was able to see a pianist perform at Carnegie Hall. Her name was Katya Grineva of Russia and it was the 10 year anniversary of her first performance at Carnegie. What an amazing performance! She was not only talented, but the piano was as though an extension of her limbs with which she expressed herself via her music. It was sponsored through Monster.com and as an HR client who contracts with them for recruitment, I was given two tickets for free. There was a cocktail party beforehand at the Russian Tea Room (apparently reputed as the filming site for a movie, though I can't recall if it was Tootsie or Mrs. Doubtfire...but something like that).

This past week, I was again given tickets on account of my work in HR. This time from Plum Benefits for whom I distribute the monthly specials to all the employees at our company. They gave me four Broadway Musical tickets (front mezzanine to boot!) to see The Little Mermaid, which was very impressive. The acts were great, the singing, dancing, and sets were all amazing. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of what I thought would be a "cheesy" juvenile rendition of Disney animation. Well, my preformed ideas were shot down after the very first act. After the musical we were out front when the actress who played Ariel came out, she was on her way to the limo and signing autographs, but bless David's heart, he spent too much time trying to figure out the logistics of having her sign the souvenier booklet that he totally missed the opportunity. She was in a hurry and he was one step too late. (Though he said he did manage to accidently step on her toe.)

Finally, I was given two tickets to see the Yankees vs. Toronto at Yankee's Stadium, also on account of work, from one of the temp agencies we work closely with. This is the final year the Yankees will be playing in this stadium, as they are building a new one next to this old, nostalic, bit of American pastime history. I am looking forward to this game, though I am told the Yankees aren't doing so great this year. Never-the-less, this will be wonderful visiting a historical landmark (and again, great seats Loge Box MVP seats and prepaid preferred parking included). This month has been one pleasant, unexpected surprise after another!

Well folks, I've gotta get my butt into bed as tomorrow is an early day at work since it's our first day at the new site and the caterer is coming early to drop off food. I've gotta be there to meet them and set up for the employees. It's nearly 12:30 a.m. here and it's a big day tomorrow (or should I say today).

God bless you, keep you, and show His favor to you abundantly.

Thank you for supporting my blog

Dear friends and family,

Thank you for not giving up on me and my blog. One of these days I will write something. Until then, thank you for continuing to check the site in hope that I will eventually post something.

David left for a school trip to Europe yesterday. He went to Italy and eventually will spend his last day in Spain. He visited Pompeii today and was elated. He is the very first of our immediate family to actually use his passport. He will also visit Genoa, Barcelona, Rome, and Florence. What an itnerary (though these are noted by recollection only and are in no particular order). This is through EF Tours and was our Christmas gift to him this past year. (He paid for the first installment and we picked up the balance.)

I am desperately in need of a vacation. I am experiencing burnout lately. Perhaps the longer days, flowers and warmer weather will help cure what's ailing me, but I think the real cure is a relaxing vacation with no one telling me what to do, or when to do it. A real, genuine, full fledged vacation. I was considering a few options. One of these days the Grand Canyon would be nice to see and a visit with my kin folk, but summer hardly seems the appropriate time and perhaps waiting until the cooler weather of fall comes in would offer more refreshment. I was thinking about visiting Plymouth Rock and that whole area, but think that I would rather make a long weekend vacation of that visit. And yes, eventually I will visit Niagara Falls, though again this is likely a weekend trip. Fall is also a great time for touring the New England area with it's changing season, but waiting until then is just WAY TOO LONG to wait for a vacation!

My latest whimsical idea that actually stirred my affection is Canada's Prince Edward Island! I know, you're probably questioning my sanity about now. But this is the setting of the novel series, Anne of Green Gables. When I was checking out the site I discovered 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery's series. This was a pleasant surprise, but the biggest selling point of a vacation site like this is: 1.) it's in another country 2.) an english speaking community 3.) there are green, rolling pastures that go on for miles 4.) there are beaches and dunes 5.) the lifestyle is laid back there 6.) it's the setting of this great series of books I enjoyed.

http://www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide/index.php3

When I saw the pastural scenes, flower gardens, farm communities with old Victoian homesteads and barns I suddenly realized that this felt like the kind of place where I could find rest and reflection, and thereby a genuine time of rejuvenation. Add to that beaches and paths for walking and cycling (if I get adventurous) and that only expands my options. We'll see how things progress. It's hard to really think about a vacation beyond this as presently I have a few things that are vying for my best thinking and time.

Happy Birthday Amanda!

I would like to dedicate a sweet birthday wish to my "baby" sister Amanda. She celebrated her 32nd birthday yesterday. What a great example she is of someone who knows how to have fun, retain youth, and keep her playful nature! Happy birthday little sister (spoken in my best Rooster Cogburn/ John Wayne impersonation). I love you very much.

With all my heart...

What's Up...

Not a whole lot going on out here in New York. Primarily, life has been more about maintenance and steadiness rather than anything else. In my spare time of course I read quite a bit. Most of my writing has been on a more personal level for my own purposes of self discovery. More precisely, this would be re-discovery, as I have been working through emotions and life habits and evaluating why I do certain things, when I do them. Anyways, I'm only on the beginning exercises, working through childhood experiences and family life. In this alone, I have already written well over eight pages and feel I have only skimmed the surface. There are several more topics to go, and no, I will not post these to my site as they are too personal.

Other things I am reading are related to writing, specifically with regards to style, grammar, and just some sweet tips. I really do enjoy writing and also editing. It's one thing to write to a blog from the top of one's head, and quite another to write and refine, write and refine, constantly tweaking until finally happy with the final product. Were I to write like this at my blog all the time then I would update it with even less frequency than already I do.

As for other areas of my life, it's finally becoming spring and I am endeavoring to up my game to get outside more. I have to really fight for my time outdoors, as I can get too caught up in duties that I can neglect my own personal needs and simple pleasures. As a result, I have found myself with less joy than usual. I know it is God's will that I enjoy my life, but oh, how difficult I find it to let myself have fun when I know other things are vying for time and energy. It often takes a concerted effort to play when there's work to be done, and by then I find myself too burned out to have fun. Anyone else ever get like this? I think I need a little vacation, but then I think, how I need to get these nagging things done so I could actually enjoy some time de-stressing.

One thing I am trying to do more of is incorporate activity into life that sort of kills two birds (working out and having fun) with one proverbial stone. I recently ordered some exercise videos that are dance themed. Granted, I'm not all that coordinated when it comes to dance or aerobics, freestyle is more my thing, but I'm having some fun, though I feel like a dork at times with how foreign some of the new moves are. I got two Samba dance videos, the Island Girl series for both Hula dance and Tahitian dance, as well as Zumba. I've enjoyed the Island Girls videos the best thus far. The lessons are easier to learn and the moves are simpler and more graceful, yet they are not as easy as they look. I like how Kili (the instructor) builds one move at a time and then builds from there in small routines. Finally, she puts the different routines together. The moves are authentic dance steps to boot!

There really hasn't been all that much excitement around here. Life lately has been about remaining steadfast. While I might like to see some changes occur, I just don't have the energy after a full day's work and the other daily things that arise, to take on extra challenges. I suppose if I had the energy to take on some of these, the following would be getting done: my teaching that I will present in May for a statewide ministry function, my basement getting organized and de-cluttered so I can actually find things that I haven't been able to locate since the move, and putting in a flower garden as well as some herbs. But honestly, the homestead is probably the one thing that has me double minded...I don't really like this rental. I never would have picked this place, but we've managed to make it work somehow. So trying to unpack too much or put in a garden sort of seem like a major commitment to actually living here longer, which I don't know that I want to do. Yet on the other hand, to move again seems overwhelming too.

Perhaps putting more effort into making this place more to my liking would be the best... the rent's great for this area (though most of you would choke if I told you what we pay), the utilities are included, there's actually off-street parking (a near miracle in these parts) and we have a great landlord (willing to hire David for work as well as to give him paid training contruction this summer), albeit, there is just one bathroom and a lot of "jimmy rigged" maintenance that makes this single dwelling into two family dwellings (something commonly done around here). I don't have to make a decision today obviously - waiting until David finishes High School and decides more of his plans may be a big factor. I guess I will stay put until I have more to go on...

I know contentment should be more prevalent, that I should count my blessings... and perhaps this is why my energy seems depleted. Any suggestions (especially biblically based ones) are most welcome!

The Opinion that Matters Most...HIS Opinion!

The other day I did a Google search on "Givers and Takers" that opened to me a whole train of thought. To sum up the gist of the study, people who are givers (aka nice people) are often this way because they are looking for acceptance of others. Now this is, in no wise, an all-inclusive conclusion, only a tendancy that is common among givers. This can even be something that is occuring on a subconscious level.

Perhaps you had to compete for attention among many siblings, or were from the wrong side of the tracks (like me), just to name a couple of scenarios. You may, unknowingly be seeking acceptance to know that you're okay. But what the study continued to explain is that when that acceptance is not given, the tendancy is to get angry or sad (hurt) that your "niceness", your giving, is rejected.

Thankfully the study moved toward God, and this is where combining my recent studies in the scriptures came full circle. When we believe on Jesus Christ, when we believe as Romans 10:9 & 10 exhorts (confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead), then we are saved and made whole. Romans speaks of the righteousness that comes of believing and not of works. It is part of the nature of the gift of holy spirit given at the time of the new birth. Righteousness is made unto us. We take on this characteristic spiritually in the new man. Of course, the real day-to-day living is when we put on mentally what is within us spiritually, when we really believe and act according to our new nature that is like Christ.

Well, to take this truth a bit further, I got to thinking about the righteousness we have, how God made us accepted in the Beloved. How He made us his handiwork (poema in the Greek, which means masterpiece). How He made it available to have access to His heart, to lay our hearts bare before Him without condemnation. How we can stand before Him with remission for sins, and receive forgiveness when we screw up. He truly wants us to be able to have confidence toward Him, to stand in His presence daily without sensing guilt, condemnation, fear, or shortcomings. He paid the ultimate price of His Son's life in order for us to have this new life. And yet...

So often, if we forget to look at ourselves through the kinder eyes of God, through His filter of mercy and His grace...if we do not remember that we are already approved before Him...we will seek to find approval from a baser source - mankind. How often we forget that we are accepted of God! That we are a sweet smelling savor unto Him! It is at times like these, in our forgetfullness (or perhaps ingorance if we have not yet been instructed) that we will seek glory of men. And sadly, it is at these very times that we will also discover our greatest rejections and disappointments. Mankind does not readily look within that they might behold the perfection of the "Christ in us" as our Heavenly Father does; mankind does not gaze upon our hearts that they might consider our motives.

We need to raise our vision to think of ourselves according to what He thinks. It is then that we will declare as Paul did in his epistle to the Romans (Romans 8:30 & 31):

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

And of course, if we are thinking rightly of ourselves according to what He has made us, our reply will be, "No one!" (Or at least, it won't really matter what others think of us, so long as we care most deeply about what He thinks of us!)

With this kind of freedom from seeking acceptance of others, imagine now the liberty with which you can now give if you so desire. Now the kind of giving that is for the sheer sake of giving, and not for approval of others, can begin. Such giving is full of agape love that seeketh not her own. Such giving is full of grace that expects nothing in return. Such giving is free; it needs no man's approval, for it has already found it with God!

A Time for Tranformation

Nothing poetic here, I simply want to share some thoughts that have been on my heart lately...

Lately, I have been thinking about accepting change. Change is one of those things that's inevitable. I am learning to accept that fact and to come to peace with it, namely, in the pursuit to become more like my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I liken it to a sculptor who has before him a large block of beautiful, white marble. In one hand he holds a chisel, in the other the hammer. He has in mind what the marble is to become and with it, he begins chiseling away all that is not fashioned after this image, removing bit by bit that which is extraneous.

And so it is with God as the Master Sculptor; He sees what we are becoming. He knows that we wish to be fashioned after the beautiful and brilliant likeness of His Son. With tenderness and grace, he lovingly chisels away that which is not after that image. It may be painful at times to experience these "growing pains" but as we become more and more like Christ, we come to appreciate those lessons and chastenings of our Loving Father, realizing that all the while He has had our best interests at heart.

Some of my greatest challenges have been my greatest "growth spurts". It never feels good to be faced with change or challenges, but these are the very times when we can find ourselves lifting our eyes to our Father and asking for His help, guidance, and strength. It is when we stop putting our trust in ourselves that He can direct us best. It is when we toss up our hands for lack of strength that His power can strengthen us. When we quit ourselves and begin anew with Him, this is when we are in the dynamic place of best becoming all that God has purposed and planned for us to be.

Change is good.

Survey:100% Interesting

Here are the questions, you supply the answers:


1. What is the one thing that you're most interested in right now?

2. What is the one thing that you're least interested in right now?

3. Who is the most interesting person you know?

4. Who is the least interesting person you know?

5. What is the most interesting thing about yourself?


My answers to follow...

Update: Thanksgiving through Christmas, and now 2008!

Well, not a lot of news or writings to post, but then again, the holidays have been quite frantic. It seems that once Halloween is over, the fury of the holiday rush is thrust upon us. Add to that my son's birthday around Thanksgiving, and my husband's birthday in mid December, and you can see why my blog has been neglected. I however, refuse to succumb to the madness anytime prior to Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and one of the few truly godly ones remaining. Sadly, the commercialism of the Christmas season overshadows, for most, the one day when people bow their heads in prayer, and pause long enough to consider the blessings and bounty God has provided. Can we not set aside at least one day out of the year to give thanks, not caught up in covetousness, nor compulsive gift giving? (Never mind that it would be ideal to set aside one day of the week to dedicate one's heart to our Heavenly Father.)

So, needless to say, the holiday season gets off to a late start each year in our household as opposed to most Americans, with a few important distractions between Thanksgiving and Christmas. By now, this being the first week of the New Year, I am ready to relax and put my feet up for a quick breather. How do I spend my much needed R&R? Well, I've taken up watching CSI (the Nevada series) and reading.

Those who know me best know I am never immersed in only one book, but maybe five or six at any given time. Most of the books have a common theme of taking up a new career objective in writing. Peter Bowerman has been my main read with his book entitled The Well Fed Writer, which focuses on how to break into freelance writing in a relatively short timeframe. Granted, I can't give the writing my sole focus while working a full time job in corporate America and doing volunteer ministry work, but the reading and learning has been fascinating! My vision has been raised and I see possibility on the horizon. Now it's a matter of actually putting the pen to paper and writing...

I Can Hardly Believe It!

I am now officially the mother of an adult son. David turned 18 yesterday and it was such a strange feeling today when the realization finally hit me between the eyes!

By the way...

Mom's birthday is tomorrow! Happy Birthday Mom. One of the kindest and compassionate people I have EVER known! I love you.

Observing Traffic

Driving home from work this evening a driver turned on his right blinker, signifying that he would like to move into my lane. I flashed my lights and gently eased up on the gas peddle to allow him to merge in effortlessly.

Behind this car, a second car took the liberty to capitalize on my good graces and quickly cut in front of me as well.

Why should my response to this particular driver differ from that of the first? I pondered for a moment and then realized, the first driver, in signaling his need to me, allowed me the opportunity to give. While the second driver, seeing my giving nature, decided to take advantage of it, and took what he wanted. He did not allow me the opportunity to give, but instead forced it upon me.

What a wonderful realization from the simplest of observations, even in the midst of rush hour traffic!

On Contention

Why is there so much contention everywhere? Lately I have noticed there is a prevalent amount of contention that fills the air, whether in the media, the neighborhood, or the office, it's everywhere!

Why so much striving and working ones self into such a frenzy to squabble over such trivia? There are some things not worth fighting over at the expense of peace. Some people simply like to pick a fight, while some like to engage...some people feel a dire need to be right, while some feel the need to resist...

Once the fire is kindled, it grows so swiflty; it rises and spreads with no one snuffing it out, until eventually it can no longer be contained. Once inflamed, it eats up the inner heart of the one in whose bosom it was ignited; it rages out of control to the point that any reason brought forth to extinguish it becomes engulfed by it. Reason becomes as a droplet of water among the wildfire in a forest and that during the hottest season and after a long drought. A path of ruin and great devastation remains where once this fire ran its course.

A fool only would put himself in the path of an angry man, one full of such ire and rage. I will not be that fool! I will not put myself in a futile situation where the sole outcome resulting would be to get burnt. Instead, I will let this flame consume itself until at last it can consume nothing more, and must, for lack of fuel on which to feed, extinguish itself.

Such contention must be so wearisome, so tiresome! How can one find peace and rest when the heart is stirred into such a frenzy? Where can one find solace, when the soul and mind is so disquieted?

American Dream

Everyone is pursuing the "American Dream". Ask any number of people and each answer will vary as to what defines the "American Dream", but lying at the root of each answer will be found an underlying theme of financial pursuits. All this striving for gain. The house, or should I say mansion, the ultimate job with six plus figures, the college education, the three plus cars and garages to house them...I could go on and on, but I will not bore you with this endless list.

Just as one dream is realized, another is discovered. The rules of engagement are shifting sand, they change constantly; there is no stability in these pursuits.

I could not help but chuckle within myself when I read the headline today, "East to West, Americans are feeling greater stress: Stress is up everywhere in the USA." I felt it was only a matter of time until people started feeling the impacting results of their outrageous pursuits in this American Dream. More truly it should be called the American Nightmare... "quick, someone, pinch me and wake me up! Make it go away!" But no, the status quo is to embrace it as part of success.

What makes this exclusive to America that they should call it the American Dream? Could it be that our nation is so young and prosperous that it thinks naively, that with all this gain there is no loss to one's peace of mind, to one's freedoms? In other nations I see these same things being pursued. Could it be the freedom we "supposedly" have, is to go after whatever we want? If this is the case, maybe the next lesson to be examined is what do we really, truly want?

If you let others determine this, qualify and quantify this for you, you also allow them to determine the price to achieve it. Let me rather be as Thoreau when he lived at Walden's Pond and was self sufficient, or Emerson as he described self reliance.

To me, this is a greater American Dream than trivial and temporal "stuff". Freedom to work in an occupation you choose for your own blessing-when you laugh, when you wake up excited to get started, for sheer joy rather than a paycheck to pay for all your acquisitions...this is a true dream! And it is very American, though sadly, America is becoming further and further removed from her true self.

Today, most of America is enslaved to their material possessions and all the while sacrificing a joyful and healthy life to keep their firm grip on these. Were we Egyptian Pharoahs, this would make sense; but in dying daily a slow death in order to some day attain a retirement of luxury is to live for tomorrow at the expense of today. (Read Matthew 6 and Luke 12:15-34.)

Who is to say you have tomorrow? You look and see you did not live today because you were too engrossed in your pursuit of the future that you neglected to embrace all the good that was given you as a gift in this very day. This is the day that the Lord hath made...we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Should this not rather be the American Dream: to live freely, worship freely, to be debtors to no man (not even our government), to speak freely. As the constitution states, "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Should this not rather be our dream? Not those things which enslave, but rather free us.

I see America is losing in her pursuit of happiness; most Americans are miserable or at least never content. As to having life, most do not embrace the day, but grasp at the whisp of air called tomorrow. They are not living, but merely biding time for when they will live in the future.

Liberty...liberty is being regulated more and more into the power of the government, then doled out again to its citizens from that which has been taxed. We pay to have our government mandate what we can and cannot do. Laws abound, zones determine what a man might build on the plot of land he payed for and which he may keep only if he pays his tax annually. Liberty is becoming less and less free, and only the wealthy can maintain it.

A man, they say, may change his lot in life, and to some extent this may be true, more in America than most other places in the world. Yet, I see a new oppression arising that would keep a man down who might desire to change his given station in life. A man is more and more regulated by our government as to what occupations he might choose, more stifled in his choices, as there is greater prerequisite set for how he is qualified to do a task.

Desire is not enough, even growing into a new occupation is becoming limited. No, today that man must have a degree from an accredited college or university, or at the very minimum certification that qualifies him to do the task at hand. Never mind that he has been studying and applying himself all his life as a hobby. No, that does not count.

Again, the hand of our government or society, our own citizens bearing down a heavy hand upon the man who is struggling to tread water in the sea of American opporunity.

Has America been fooled, deceived by this notion of a dream? Will its citizens awake and lay hold on liberty and truth - the greater dream that our founding Fathers saw, penned, and then to which they signed, in oath, their life's blood and worldly goods in order to lay hold upon?

On True Prosperity...

A wave upon the sea, it comes in, pounding, crashing - the weight of which is grand. It moves the sand upon which it deposits itself. The sand takes all that it can receive and with gratefulness, returns gently to the sea, that which she cannot contain. She cannot hoard the waters, only that capacity to which she can accept, nothing more, nothing less. She is content, having had her fill and easily she lets go of that which remains left over.

Such is the ebb and tide of God in His infinite goodness. He pours upon the heart of man all which that man's heart will receive of Him. God is not stingy. No, He gives all He can, and man receives, and in turn gives back to Him of that which he received. If he takes, and takes, and takes some more, how can he continue the cycle? The ebb and flow, the tide, is halted at that man's command.

Such is the manner of tithing; man gives nothing of which he himself did not first receive. We should not wish it upon ourselves to halt the blessing of God. We do not desire stagnant waters, but the moving, the living waters.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said it is more blessed to give than to receive. And herein lies the true measure of a man's prosperity, his abundance. It lies not in that which he possesses, but rather in that which he can joyfully share and give unto another. To enrich another being who in turn glorifies God for His care at the hand of that one who gave into his bosom.

Objects are not the guage, nor how many people wait upon you as a mete for an abundant life. Rather, joy! Freedom to give without concern for want and lack; freedom to give with laughter and a cheerful heart, knowing assuredly that He who gave such bounty will do it again, and again, and again. His supply is never ending, it is limitless.

The other day I heard Him whisper to me, "If you should try and fathom the depths of the oceans, or span the heaven, you would only begin to understand the love I have for you."

A Lesson from Lot...

Ah, alone with my thoughts once more, not always an easy place to be. Why is it that those to whom you show the greatest consideration seem to be the very ones who apprediate it least? Is it me, or is it this sixth sense of mine that reads people, their eyes showing contempt and disdain as if to say, "You're so weak. You don't need my permission." I'm not asking for permission, but would rather give consideration to others so as to not work ill toward my neighbor, my brother.

Here in New York it seems that there is a certain arrogance that lies like a stench in the air. Perhaps these people are (and I speak here in general statements) calloused to the love of God. Perhaps they are so suspicious, so hardened, so pressured or pleasured, and self seeking that they cannot understand goodness being extended from one's heart to the heart of another being.

I mention "self seeking" because I have noticed a certain self interest, a hot pursuit for one's own gain, promotion, interests. And here again, I cannot help but wonder if it is because of the pressures of life. Furthermore, when you are among a multitude of others who are competing for that which you contend and no one else has your own interests at heart, can one help it that they are suspicious? That they view all others as their enemy, their own rival?

It would take a rare breed of person to live in that kind of environment for any length of time and not be affected. Affected either in becoming like that which he despises; resentful that what he is, as one among a million, is despised and rejected; hurt that he is shunned or raises suspicion; or even vexed by the culture itself, competing endlessly for vanity. This world is so temporal and all about me I see men grasping at nothing, clutching with all their might, emptiness.

"And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation (behavior,
ways, manner of life) of the wicked; (For that righteous man dwelling
among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to
day with their unlawful deeds.)" II Peter 2:7 & 8

Can one harness the wind in his hands and hold it forever? Or water, which seaps from one's grasp, through the crevices of his fists?

Oh, but that I could wish for, I long for, a simplicity among my fellow man when one man observed another and saw worth, or at least potential value!

On Rebuke...

Rebuke: a sharp reprimand (noun); to reprimand sharply, to reprove (verb).

Rebuke, it sounds so negative, so utterly repulsive, and yet, it is the herald of wisdom (as stated in the book of Proverbs) as she calls one unto herself. What a new perspective! So often one may think life is meant to be perfect, simple, and easy; but there are occassions where it is not meant to be this way. These are the times when rebuke must teach her lessons...

How would a fool know of his foolishness? Or the scorner of his demeaning and scornful manner that oppresses others? And the lazy, how do they come to realize they need to exert themselves in order to find the true rest that God's Word promises? These all would not consider even pondering another path except that the course they presently take prove to be treacherous, and to their own harm and detriment. (Not to mention that such a course provides nothing to God's purposes and glory...but this is an even further stretch of the mind: to divert so far in order to consider someone else, save themselves, while their present course is already twisted.)

A man who walks such a course of selfishness must first find benefit unto himself if ever he is to divert from it. This is when wisdom calls unto him, encouraging him to consider his ways. Only when he begins to trek this newly discovered higher road, will he ponder long enough to consider the benefit his life can be unto another; and should he ponder long enough, he might even realize how his life can ultimately be lived as an adornment unto his Creator, and not simply unto himself.