radical career shift

A friend who does some work as a sound man/stage hand called and asked if I wanted to work Saturday at the convention center/concert hall place in Grand Rapids.

I can count the non-office-work jobs I've had on one hand, so this should be an experience!

A little extra money will be very handy, but time does seem to drag when I'm doing move-this, set-up-that kind of work.

So a long day anticipated for tomorrow, but maybe there will be some stories to tell afterwards. :)

Exercise-related ...
I only got in a short walk last night. But hopefully more tonight. I'm guessing tomorrow's job will offer plenty in the way of exercise without me having to worry about it.

the weak ones among us

I was reading in 1 Cor. 12 last night, and v. 22 stood out to me

On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;

For some reason, I’d always read this, thinking about the physical body side of the picture, and not the spiritual … but last night, the spiritual stood out …

Those who are bound by depression, and it’s all they can do to get themselves out the door on Sunday morning before retreating to their bedroom … they are necessary.

Those who are easily offended, and have to be handled with kid gloves … necessary.

Those who struggle with the same issue over and over and over … necessary.

Sick, aged, distracted, simple … all necessary.

And what a blessing to be able to be a comfort to these “necessary” ones …

I was glad for the reminder.

Had a nice walk last night before prayer meeting, and hope to get to the gym tonight on the way home from Bible study in Zeeland. However, it will be late-afternoon, when motivation starts to slip ... so it might or might not actually happen. :)

Trinka

I remember when life was always like this ...

The church's internet is with SBC ...

It appears that their service is down for an enormous area right now.

Every time I call, the "hope to be repaired by" time gets farther away.

It's AMAZING how much of my job has moved online ... and how hard it is to do it disconnected!

Got to the gym last night for the first time in ages - and can really feel it. I've been walking and working out in other ways, but those muscles weren't getting stretched! Got a "racquetball for beginners" lesson this past weekend. I think I could really like that. D. and her sister-in-law were teaching at a ladies' retreat, and it was such a blessing to be able to go to Texas and be there for it. The retreat was at a lovely lake-side site, and there was a chance to go kyacking one morning to watch the sun come up - it was just beautiful.

The subject of the retreat was spiritual gifts, and it got me thinking about the subject. It's such a blessing to have my job tie in with the gifts God's given me (administration, encouragement and mercy) - I think that's part of what makes it such a joy. I was reading this morning in Romans 1:11-12, and noticed that Paul wanted to go to Rome to "impart unto them some spiritual gift to the end they be established" (probably paraphrased.)

I'm wondering if that mention of spiritual gift is supposed to tie in with the ones in Romans 12. It doesn't quite seem like it, but I'm not sure. I do find it interesting that it ties in with establishment/stability. Still pondering this one.

Trinka ... at home on her lunch, checking the e-mail

"yes, this bus is going to the Malpensa airport"

The hotel where we stayed was conveniently located only a few blocks from the central Milan train station. (except for the first evening ... when it, somehow, seemed at least 15 miles away.) :)

On the morning we left, we needed to catch a bus at this train station to get to the Malpensa airport. There was one of these buses every 20 minutes.

At 6:30ish the last morning, we toted our luggage to the station, went to the proper spot, and in tourist-fashion, asked the bus driver, "Malpensa?"

"Si, si, Malpensa" Mr. bus driver replies.

Trinka, being suspicious that this seemingly-obvious question might have been misunderstood, asked again before the bus began moving, "Malpensa?"

"Si." Mr. bus driver answers.

OK.

As we leave town, we begin to see signs for the Malpensa airport. Yippeee! All along the opposite lane, traffic is thick and barely moving, but we're sailing along. Our flight doesn't leave until 10:30, so we're going to be very early ... "good little travelers."

Hmmmm ... wasn't that exit labeled "Malpensa?"

Big airport, of course. Must be more than one exit. Yes, that's it.

Hmmmm ... still clipping right along aren't we?

Now, if you're interested in taking a glance at a map of Italy, you'll see the Malpensa airport is to the northwest of Milan. Now, what you may not notice on the map, since it's small, and, well, NOT in Milan at all, is a little town called Bergamo, which ALSO has an airport.

Obviously THIS is where the bus was going. That should have been clear by the driver's response earlier.

Of course, it did take us nearly an hour to get to this (wrong) airport. You may also recall I mentioned all the traffic we passed going in the other direction?

At the Bergamo International (!) Airport, we met an amazingly efficient taxi driver, who apparently had angels paving his way. He zipped through traffic, and somehow managed to get us there, barely, in time.

We went from one security line to another security line to the line getting on the plane, and, praise the Lord, walked ONTO the plane.

At no point since the 6:30 "my we caught a nice early bus" moment did the "getting on the plane" possibility seem particularly likely.

All in all, it was a pleasant adventure (particularly since it was possible to re-arrange schedules at home, and come home a day late, if need-be) ... but it was made all the more pleasant by being able to sink down at the end of it into a seat that was heading towards HOME. :)

Next up ... the lady who was sitting next to me on the plane. Trust me, it's more intersesting than you might think. :)

Accountability stuff ... I've been walking, but not much else. I have the promise of some racquetball lessons this weekend though. :)

Reading - I've been in Joshua at night, and Psalms in the morning.

well, the good news is ...

Today, the story of "yes, I speak English, and can show you the sights of Venice"

On Monday, Dad and I went to Venice for the day. It was just amazing to see how the city was built directly on the water. While I'd done some reading, I had no comprehension of the SIZE of the place.

The fellow above on the left was our tour-guide/gondola paddler. He assured us that, "yes, he could tell us all about the buildings we were seeing in English." Unfortunately, "all about" had a slightly different meaning. :) He was able to tell us the names of the buildings in English. But I'm afraid that was about it.

It was amazing to observe that he was able to paddle the boat, while standing in the stern, and at the same time carry on cell phone conversations. He did it consistently, and didn't make it look at all difficult. :)

It was a beautiful place, and fascinating just because of the logistics of the construction. We wandered around a good bit on foot as well.

Health-related accountability stuff ... While spending 6 days in Italy, consuming heretofore unimaginable quantities of cream, butter, chocolate and cheese, I managed to lose 2 pounds.

I'm not complaining! :)

More soon!
Trinka

home home home ...

'tis a very pleasant place to be. :) (Even if I DID wake up at 3:30 this morning).

Trip stories to follow:

• Translation of the phrase: "yes, this bus is going to the Malpensa airport"
• The interesting story of the baseball-and-apple-pie girl sitting beside me on yesterday's international flight
• Translation of the phrase: "yes, I speak English, and can show you the sights of Venice"
• Flight attendants: battle pay should be offered

And probably others ... but those I want to be sure and remember to write up for you. :)

Had a delightfully uneventful trip once I was aboard the plane home. My flight into Cleveland and Grand Rapids both arrived 20 minutes early. Good friends met me at the airport. And surprise visitors showed up to welcome me home after I popped out of the shower. (who fortunately chose to ignore the ratty bathrobe and luggage-strewn living room, and stayed for a pleasant little visit). Was asleep by 9:30, and enjoying the sound of rain outside the window.

Just one picture, since I can post them now. This is a view on the roof of the Duomo.

Trinka

a little internet cafe

just presented itself. Please be so kind as to ignore punctuation!

I got WAY lost yesterday. It was fun ... no one was waiting for me, and I had a great time with a lady who spoke no English ... she pretty much told me Iàd walked so far that I wasnàt even ON my map anymore.

The hotel is near a big metro station, so I knew no matter where I ended up, I could find a metro stop and get home again, which was very liberating!

Iàve just been to the cathedral, and it was so beautiful. There was a walkway on the roof, going up several levels, so you could see the intricacy of how it was made ... there were even carvings hidden behind other carvings, underneath overhangs, etc. ... all up so high that they never would have thought anyone would see it.

I also stopped at a sidewalk cafe and ordered hot chocolate ...it was amazing stuff ... like warm chocolate pudding, or some-such. I could become a fan.

The traffic is interesting to me ... People seem to cross right in front of cars all the time, and the cars just swerve around them. But itàs not an angry, everyone-get-out-of-my-way attitude like in Detroit. Here it just seems to be expected, and everyone is pretty mellow about it. No yelling, waving fingers, etc. I was riding with an Italian lady yesterday, and she was driving on the wrong side of a double yellow line ... oncoming traffic tooted a horn at her, and she just pleasantly said, "yes, yes, of course you are right" and eventually swerved back. :)

pictures will be coming when I get home!

Iàm off to find an interesting cemetery I read about in a guidebok.

Trinka

hmm... not posting from here after all

The interent at the hotel wasn t exactly free ... it was more like $12.50 for two hours. So Iàll be posting when I get home instead! Iàm using one of the hotels computers now which also cost money ... and has the punctuation keys in different places, so please forgive the goofiness!

Just to let you know Iàm out here ... will be able to get and send some e'mail on dadàs computer occasionally ... and Iàll hope to post when I get home!

Trinka

there should be a special reward in heaven ...

for friends willing to take you to the airport at 5:00 a.m.

TRC ... you are a real blessing! (hope you make it through the day awake!)

Trinka ... sitting in Newark watching children run laps around annoyed businessmen while their parents pretend they don't notice.

pre-trip paranoia ...

Yesterday I brought my passport to work - I like to have a copy of it, as well as all the credit cards I'm bringing.

I also brought a guidebook from the library - I wanted copies of a few pages to bring along.

On the way home from work, I dropped all the books back off at the library.

2:00 this morning ... from a sound sleep ... I begin having this conversation with myself:

"did I leave the passport tucked inside the library book?"

"of course you didn't, you goofy woman."

"but what if I did?"

"you didn't"

"but what if I did?"

... wake up ... shuffle out to living room ... find passport ...

"now go back to sleep"

"OK"

:)

still out here ...

I'm entering a busy season at work as we get ready for Easter, as well as some baptisms that will be happening that same Sunday.

Then there's the "taking care of things that happened while I was away" busy-ness combined with the "preparing for things that will happen while I'm gone next week" busy-ness."

Anyhow ... all that is to say, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. :)

I've been getting some good walks in, but avoiding the gym as I messed up my neck and back hauling my laptop around last weekend. It's getting a bit better, but I want it a LOT better before I take off next week, hauling my laptop around. :) (This time ... the backpack is going on BOTH shoulders, no matter how much I hate taking the time to do it!)

Someone suggestsed yesterday that I do some writing about singleness. It's certainly a topic that God has dealt with me about. One of my goals for this week away is to come up with an outline I'm pleased with, and maybe an introduction. Whether I'd ever go through the misery of looking for a publisher ... that's another story ... but I would enjoy the writing either way! I've also got a booklet that a friend wants me to edit, so I'll take that along. Travel combined with some interesting projects ... this is nice. :)

Had a great time with my brother & family last weekend. The adorable nieces were great fun! I came home with ... well ... a LOT of pictures. :)

Trinka

a little warmer and a lot hillier ...

I left this morning, and am now almost to my brother & sister-in-law's. We stayed the night rather than drive it all in one day. Which feels a bit wimpy to me when I think about it ... but now having gotten halfway here ... I think it was a good suggestion!

There are just no highways going directly anywhere down here ... It seems as if at least 250 miles of the trip was driven at 45 mph. This can be a bit wearing. No. Actually, this can be a LOT wearing!

Glad for a comfy Super 8 with high speed internet access!

:)

Found someone to work for me, so the Italy trip is going to happen! I hope to have internet access and blog from there ... we'll see!

Trinka

one day, I'll learn to love spontaneity!

Because opportunity to develop it seems to appear regularly. :)

As I'm in a last-minute panic trying to get everything done to get out of town this afternoon to see my brother & sister-in-law (and the adorable nieces) ...

Yesterday afternoon my dad offers me a trip to Milan April 5-11.

"Yes!"

"I mean"

"Let me check"

"I mean"

Oh dear ...

"Let me see if anyone can work for me."

"I mean"

eek!

So, the last-minute I'm-going-out-of-town-today panic is joined by last-minute, I-want-to-go-out-of-the-country-in-two-weeks panic.

I'm so glad I don't have to work with me today. :)

I had a big job on the copy machine that needed to be taken off the sorter every 10 copies. It's been done for a half hour, but I keep wandering in there to check it.

"FOCUS Trinka. FOCUS."

So ... can anyone work for me April 5-11?

:)

Trinka

random gym thoughts

While lifting weights, there's just nothing much to watch, except the other people lifting weights.

Which leads me to notice things that I otherwise might not!

For instance, fascinating person #1 was a thin, healthy-looking lady ... healthy looking except that you could see all the blood vessels in her arms on top of the muscles. It was strangely fascinating, but not in a "I'd like to be able to see my insides through my skin" kind of way. While I would love to be thin and healthy-looking ... if any of my insides start being visible through my skin? I'm outa here and looking for a milkshake.

Fascinating person #2 was a white (very white ... almost clear) fellow with Chinese characters tattooed on his chest. This begs the obvious (to ME) question ... why would you invest pain, money, and your own skin, to display text very few can read? Does he want people to ask him,

"excuse me sweaty young fellow, but what does your chest say?"

Nope. Don't think that will be happening.

OK ... enough frivolity. :)

Looking forward to a visit with my brother, sister-in-law and their girls this weekend in Tennessee (where I dearly hope it will be warm ... like even over 60? Maybe?) My mom, in theory, is coming along. She does have a tendency to back out at the last minute, so I have some good audiobooks for company, just in case.

Trinka

Carpet Cleaner for Carol

Just for you today. :)

My realtor recommended cleaning the carpets in my condo with ammonia, and it did an amazing job.

I have a carpet shampooer that I got at a garage sale - it looks like an upright vacuum cleaner, and has brushes that rotate on the bottom.

She said to fill the shampoo-measuring cup with ammonia (using the same measurement that it gives for the shampoo).

You use non-sudsy ammonia (any scent).

No need to rinse after using it - it evaporates out.

The house will smell like ammonia until it dries, but after that, the scent is gone. It made my ratty old carpet look almost like new - the only sign of its age is that it's beaten down, and worn in places ... but all the stains came out.

End of household hint. :)

Got to the gym last night, and have been enjoying reading Psalm 37 in the mornings.

I was especially enjoying the idea of the dual meaning in verse 3 - - "Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" can also be translated "... feed on His faithfulness."

Those two ideas being expressed interest me. A writer will often use words with dual meanings, and intend for their audience to consider both, I'm thinking this dual meaning was intended to be considered here.

The only way I can "cultivate faithfulness" in my own life is to "feed on HIS faithfulness." ... just like the only way I can truly "do good" is when I'm "trust[ing] in the Lord." He's the source of it all ... my ability to do anything for others comes from Him, any faithfulness and stability I have ... also a gift from God. He is the epitome of faithfulness, and there's enough there to feast a hungry heart forever!

Trinka

importing horses from Egypt

I was reading last night in Deuteronomy 17 and v. 16 stood out to me. God is telling Israel what their king ought to be like, and He tells them that this man (and Israel as a whole) shouldn't be collecting horses, and particularly shouldn't be getting them from Egypt.

Kind of obscure?

Not really! When those kinds collected horses, they were doing it because horses were the "tanks" of that era. They were doing it for protection and power. God wanted to be their protector. He wanted them to trust Him.

Why the specific warning about Egypt?

It was the epitome of "the world" then. It's a picture to us now of our former life, of all that we run to for comfort other than God.

He wants us to trust Him fully, and He wants us (me!) to run to Him when circumstances seem threatening.

It made me think about those silly contests on the back of product labels. I almost always enter them, and spend a few minutes daydreaming about winning ... pay off my car, put in some pretty laminate flooring, etc. (though I must say ... for 30-year-old carpet, this stuff is NOT bad ...a carpet shampooer with ammonia instead of soap is definately the way to go!)

And while that daydreaming may be fun (and winning would be MORE fun). I know "where my help comes from. It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." And He's not limited in the way He provides!

I'm so spoiled by Him (and by His people) in so many ways. It's good to take time to be thankful for that!

Yesterday I spent the day with the windows open, letting the spring sunshine freshen the condo. It was in the 60's here, and sunny. I had my food dehydrator drying apples. It was just a beautiful, productive, restful day. Had several visits with a good friend, with whom I hope to do some traveling this year. I also got to the gym, and out for several walks. It's hard to stay inside when the sun is shining. :)

I've also been doing some thinking about ways to combat bitterness. I posted on the MeetChristians site, and people have had some wonderful suggestions. I thought I'd throw the idea up here also. A sister confided in me Thursday that she's struggling with this issue, and I wanted to send her some ideas for help. Thoughts would be welcome!

Well, this post has been a bit of a mish-mash, hasn't it? Maybe do better next time!

Trinka

new toys

For those times when I wonder ... "does anyone actually READ this thing?" ... I THINK it now has a counter.

Let's see if it appears when I publish this post. :)

Trinka

just some blessings from this week ...

The new office hours are working great! I'm finding it gives me more time at lunch to run errands (an hour instead of 45 minutes), and the extra hour at night is proving to be a huge help.

This week I've had something planned every evening. In the past, that's made my life a walking nightmare. But this week, I've been able to enjoy the things on my calendar, rather than sitting through them immersed in guilt because they pre-empted exercise that day.

So ... thumbs-up to the new schedule! I'm also accomplishing so much more at work, because I have an extra hour in the morning when I'm sharp, and the phone isn't ringing. It's a winner all the way around!

Blessing number 2 - and it's a silly one!

You know the story of Elisha and the widow, where she and her son were about to starve, and the Lord multiplied the oil and the flour, so they had enough to eat, and more to sell?

Well, I'm half-convinced I've got a gallon of milk with the Lord's blessing upon it. The expiration date was March 1, and as of this morning, it was still sweet. There's a dairy farm near my mom's that sells their own milk, and I think I'm going to be buying more, if this is typical. :) I always end up throwing out the last 1/4 of a gallon, and this one is almost gone.

Exercise is going well - I'm still loving that eyetoy game. I had a couple of college students over Tuesday night to play it, and we had a great time. Reading ... I've been in Deuteronomy in the evenings, but don't have anything much to report.

TJ

some thoughts from the wine-press

I was responsible to do a little devotional today for a meeting, and this is the written version. :)

In the little line of instructions/introduction before Psalm 84, it says "on the Gittith." The word "gittith" means "wine-press". It was probably some kind of musical instrument that looked like a wine-press.

But it's not an accident that it's there in the introduction! Because this psalm has a lot to say to those of us who are being pressed ... whose lives are in turmoil.

Our church has gone through a lot of turmoil this year ... the only reason I'm vice-chair of this committee is becaus the lady whose job it was went home to be with the Lord suddenly just before the Labor Day weekend. We've lost so many others this year, and there have been business troubles, and lost jobs, illnesses, and currently a big real-estate nightmare, all touching people in our fellowship, and so touching us as a whole.

So what does this Psalm have for those who are feeling the press?


How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

We have a home ... we have security ... no matter what the press may be, or how painful the crushing ... it only intensifies our longing for our real home, and for Him.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

The sparrow is a picture of loneliness, and the swallow of restlessness ... isn't that just the image of our lives in the press? It's easy to feel so isolated, and to settle down and relax (or trust!) just isn't possible. BUT the lonely and the restless DO settle in one place ... near His altar. There is a blessing for us, dwelling in His house, praising Him. We can "dwell with Him" as we go about our day, while we deal with the beauraucrats and betrayers ... internally, our hearts have a place of rest and praise.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

When we set our hearts on the pilgrimage ... on the path He's laid before us, we will pass through the valley of weeping. And we WILL weep ... there will be springs left behind when we're done! But the pain isn't for naught. It will be a place of refreshment to the pilgrims who follow us. There are lessons we learn in these dark times, in the press, that we won't learn anywhere else. We will go from strength to strength, always growing to be more like Him, until one day we appear before God.

Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

The Lord Jesus is our shield ... nothing touches us, but that which comes through Him. God looks with favor on Him, and by association on us as well. He doesn't waste our trials, nor allow them needlessly.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

No matter what the press holds, it is the best we could ever want, because it comes from His hand. No matter what lowly service our life holds, if it's for Him ... it's a position of honor.

Elizabeth Prentiss (if you haven't read Stepping Heavenward, you're missing out!) said:

Dare to belittle and unknown
Seen and loved by God alone.

It's so true! The world around us values achievement, and celebrity ... God values lowly service. Whose approval are we after?

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

When we belong to Him, if the press comes to us, it is a good thing. And if something we deeply desire is withheld? It is also a good thing. In trusting Him with the management of our life circumstances ... we are blessed.

*****

Got to the gym this weekend, and also spent a lot of time with the eyetoy game (I do love that thing). :)

Trinka

what an enjoyable book!

My brother recommended Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, and I got the book on CD from the library.

It has been such a treat ... one of those books that, if you're listening to it in the car, makes you not want to get out when you get to your destination. :)

Exercise report: Still using that EyeToy Kinetics program and loving it ... you burn a ton of calories, and it's lots of fun!

Studying: still not where I'd like it to be, but I've enjoyed a book by Max Lucado on looking at your past to see how you best serve the Lord, and using that info., to plan your ministry. It's been very good. There's a web site related to the book that has a little mini-seminar - it was what encouraged me to buy the book. See what you think!

Trinka