an e-mail forward worth passing along

This came today, and I thought it was a blessing. Nothing earth-shattering ... but how often do I remember to DO what's logical and helpful?

Simple Stress Reduction

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say “No” to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out w hat God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to something edifying while driving.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a list of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Lord."

27. Laugh.

28. Choose to think the best of others.

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

37. Remember, remember … remember …. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Justification

I was reading this morning in Acts 13, where Paul gives a sermon to the Jews in Antioch.

He basically summed up the Jews' history, and the Lord Jesus' coming, death and resurrection in a half-chapter, and near the end is verse 39:


"And by him (Jesus Christ) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

What a wonder is contained in that verse. Paul was teaching a group of VERY learned men, who had fought to keep the Jewish law their entire lives.

Yet, those who were honest with themselves knew they hadn't measured up.

And here comes one of their own, a man with an education and background equivalent or superior to the best of them, and he says, "there's something available to those of us who've failed."

The word "justified" or "justification" is a legal term. It means "to be declared righteous." We teach the concept to children as "justification means 'just as if I'd never sinned.'" But it's so much more than that. If I woke up this morning "just as if I'd never sinned" ... I'd sully that standing before I finish my first cup of coffee!

Rather, this is God declaring me righteous. Not on my own merits (thankfully!) but rather on Christ's. It's such a wonder.

One of the scenes I wish I could peek into history and watch is the faces of those scholarly men, as Paul made this declaration. Some, maybe most, we can tell from the following account, thought they WERE keeping Moses' law, and were righteous before God. But I'm sure there were at least a few, who were acquainted with their own hearts, and knew they fell short. It would have been a glorious thing to watch the understanding dawn on their faces, as they grasped what Paul was saying here!

I'm so thankful that I stand before God justified ... declared rightous ... what a wonder.

Exercise report: none happened. Gee, that was easy to type (and even easier to do!). I went with my Thursday night Bible study to see End of the Spear last night, and when I got home, I collapsed in a chair for a while, and then went to bed.

I enjoyed the movie even more the second time -I found it hard to keep all the people straight the first time, and this time it was easier.

Trinka

Four Things

Four jobs I’ve had:

• Pet store janitor
• Breakfast trail ride cook
• Vaulting (gymnastics on horseback) instructor
• 2nd shift blueprint filer (yawn!)

Four Movies I can watch over and over:

• Princess Bride
• Little Women (new version)
• Man from Snowy River
• March of the Penguins

Four Places I’ve Lived:

• Mobile home
• Brand new five-bedroom house (house-sitting is great!)
• Camp Cabin without heat or plumbing (in November!)
• Inside my own mind (a wonderful talent during dull classes)

TV shows I love:

• The Amazing Race (when it's clean)
• Monk
• Sue Thomas FBEye
• Law and Order C.I.

Four places I’ve vacationed:

• Rafting in Colorado & Utah
• Church history sites in England, Scotland and Wales
• Israel
• Maritime provinces of Canada

Four of my favorite dishes:

• Pad Se Ieu (or however it's spelled! Tahi noodle stuff)
• Lois Pell's Sunday pot roast
• Carrabbas Pollo Rosa Maria
• Almond boneless chicken

Four sites I visit daily:

• Drudge Report
• Luanne (comic strip!)
• Carol's Blog
• Bill & Glory's Blog

Four places I would rather be right now:

For me ... these always translate into "four people you wish you could spend time with right now" ... too many people have moved away! So, that would mean:

• Dallas (D.L. - moved away in 2000)
• Cyprus (C.C. - moved away in 2002)
• China (C.C. #2 - moved away in the 90's some time)
• Tennessee (C & K and adorable-nieces - moved away in 2003)

OK ... is this better?

One of my regular blog-visitors said the last template displayed on her computer as dark blue font on the dark brown "calico" background. Where the cream-colored background went ... I have no idea.

Anyhow, since I probably only HAVE a half-dozen readers, it wouldn't do to chase one away. :) How is this one Rachel?

Trinka

THIS is why I don't get anything done in the evenings ...

I was working on a project, and needed to print out about 40 CD labels.

I was fighting for almost an hour to get them to print.

"STUPID stuff … this printer ALWAYS works well, and now it’s flat-out refusing to do anything."

Complain complain complain

Troubleshoot troubleshoot troubleshoot

FINALLY

Realize the printer isn’t plugged into the computer.

Oh. Ok. I guess there is THAT.

DUMB!!!! (and tired too)

New template

See! Variety is good!

(Actually, after I chose this one, I realized that two other blogs I'm reading use the same template ... oh well ... while I may not be original, at least I know what I like when I see it). :)

new exercise room in the future

The condo association has approved turning a basement store-room into an exercise room. I'm thrilled at the idea of being able to work out in the morning before my day begins. If I run on the treadmill in my condo, I'm sure it sounds like a heard of thundering elephants in the unit below.

But in the basement, it shouldn't be a problem for anyone. They still need to run electricity down there, so it won't happen right away, but at least the process has begun! My dad has access to some enormous mirrors that will keep it from looking TOO much like a closet, and we'll paint it, and maybe put up a ceiling fan. I'm most pleased with this development. :)

I'm also doing the newsletter for the condo association, and I worked on that last night. It's the first newsletter I've done where I had the opportunity to gather the matrial myself. Usually I'm just formatting someone else's stuff ... it's been great fun looking around and trying to find things that might interest the neighbors.

I got to the gym and lifted weighs last night. It's still packed with the New-Years'-resolution crowd. I wonder if it's a sin to look forward to the time they'll start slipping? They're young and skinny, so it won't do them any real HARM. :)

I was reading last night in Deuteronomy 5. (I'm still using the Reese Chronological Bible, by the way, and liking it - it arranges all the events and writing in chronological order, and has estimated dates at the top ... makes it very easy to keep your history straight.)

I was thinking about where God instituted the sabbath:

12 ‘Observe the sabbath day to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.

13 ‘Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

14 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your ox or your donkey or any of your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you, so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

15 ‘You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.

It's interesting to me that the reason He gave for their sabbath was that they were delivered from Egypt. They needed to rest in order to remember that GOD was the one keeping them safe and secure, not themselves.

The Lord Jesus is described as OUR "sabbath rest" - we don't have a physical day anymore. We have a person. And when we look to Him, we remember that we, too, were delivered from captivity. I was every bit as much a prisoner, with no hope of release, as those Jews were as they labored on Pharoah's work projects. I was serving a cruel master also.

And my deliverance was something I could never have accomplished. It was all done for me, and offered up to me as a gift. All I had to do was step forward and accept it, as they had to take that first step out into the dessert so many centuries ago.

Thankful to be free!
Trinka

what on earth are you doing up at 3:30 a.m.?

This is the question that I asked myself repeatedly last night ... unfortunately no answer was forthcoming! :)

But I was able to praise the Lord for how different this late-night wakefulness was when compared to instances in the past.

God has used "Love thinketh no evil" (or the converse ... "love thinks the best") from 1 Cor. 13 to make such a change in my thinking. And every now and then I get a picture of that change that's a blessing to me.

There was a season, not so many years ago, where I would be awake all night often, with my mind chasing around various perceived offenses, and re-writing conversations fromt that day, making scripts for the next day that I never seemed to have opportunity to use!

But God so graciously brought me out of that season of bitterness and hardness of heart, and last night was so different. Though I'd still prefer sleeping at night, the only monologue I had to listen to early this morning was,

"close your eyes you goofball ... or tomorrow is going to be a LONG day."

Well, today IS going to be a long day, but at least it doesn't carry with it the hang-over of a night spent wallowing in sinful thinking.

God is so good.

Exercise report: nothing yesterday. Prayer meeting makes Wednesdays a tough day to fit it in ... often I do, but yesterday I didn't. Tonight, I hope to do pilates after Bible study.

Trinka

now this man can write ...

From Samuel Rutherford's Letters:

Build your nest upon no tree here; for ye see God hath sold the forest to death; and every tree whereupon we would rest is ready to be cut down, to the end we may fly and mount up, and build upon the Rock, and dwell in the holes of the Rock.

What ye love besides Jesus, your husband, is an adulterous lover. Now it is God's special blessing to Judah, that He will not let her find her paths in following her strange lovers. 'Therefore, behold I will hedge up thy way with thorns and make a wall that she shall not find her paths. And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them' (Hos. 2.6-7). O thrice happy Judas, when God buildeth a double stone wall betwixt her and the fire of hell!

The world, and the things of the world, Madam, is the lover ye naturally affect beside your own husband Christ. The hedge of thorns and the wall which God buildeth in your way, to hinder you from this lover, is the thorny hedge of daily grief, loss of children, weakness of body, iniquity of the time, uncertainty of estate, lack of worldly comfort, fear of God's anger for old unrepented-of sins.

What lose ye, if God twist and plait the hedge daily thicker? God be blessed, the Lord will not let you find your paths. Return to your first husband. Do not weary, neither think that death walketh towards you with a slow pace. Ye must be riper ere ye be shaken. Your days are no longer than Job's, that were 'swifter than a post, and passed away as the ships of desire, and as the eagle that hasteth for the prey'.

There is less sand in your glass now than there was yesternight. This span-length of ever-posting time will soon be ended. But the greater is the mercy of God, the more years ye get to advise, upon what terms, and upon what conditions, ye cast your soul in the huge gulf of never-ending eternity.

The Lord hath told you what ye should be doing till He come; 'wait and hasten (saith Peter,) for the coming of the Lord'; all is night that is here, in respect of ignorance and daily ensuing troubles, one always making way to another, as the ninth wave of the sea to the tenth; therefore sigh and long for the dawning of that morning, and the breaking of that day of the coming of the Son of man, when the shadows shall flee away.

Persuade yourself the King is coming; read His letter sent before Him, 'Behold, I come quickly.' Wait with the wearied night-watch for the breaking of the eastern sky, and think that you have not a morrow. I am loath to weary you; show yourself a Christian, by suffering without murmuring; -- in patience possess your soul: they lose nothing who gain Christ. I commend you to the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus.

wouldn't my mom just pitch a fit if she knew ...

Went to the tanner today at lunch.

By the time the Michigan mid-winter gloom has carried on this long, I'm just dying for light and warmth.

It was wonderful. I recommend it! I believe my toes may even be thawed.

Trinka

trophies

I was reading this this morning, and I thought I'd pass it along here ...

Acts 4 -
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. … they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, (Peter and John) that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

This is where a man was healed, and stood before the authorities, and they didn't know what to make of it.

But in a larger context, when we think of the life of a Christian ... isn’t it something?

Really … we stand before them whole, and they marvel.

We stand with others who are also trophies of His grace, and nobody can deny what’s been done.

Doesn’t it just bring people to your mind?

It does to mine!

I think of the parade of beloved brothers & sisters who are pictures of restoration, and wholeness ... and there's just no explanation for it, besides God. I think of issues in MY life that had no hope outside of His intervention.

Trinka

go see this movie ...

We can complain about the trash that's being served up by Hollywood, or we can support things like this: The End of the Spear ... which will be in theaters Friday (there is a listing of locations on the site).

This will be a great encouragement. It looks as if it's well-done, and true to the facts.

Vote with your dollars folks.

Trinka

what good is it, anyway?

I've been listening to MP3s of a conference while I'm walking & lifting weights. It's the kind of teaching that brings up all kinds of old issues.

Introspection is needful in life - without it, I can go tripping through existence without a thought about things that matter - sin, repentance, God and providence, who I really am and Who He really is.

However, it can also be a pit into which we stumble, and spend wasted time lost in the dark. I already know myself well enough to know there's nothing profitable hiding in my heart somewhere.

It's hard to know whether a specific instance is the former kind of introspection, or the latter until later in life when you look back. I am praying for direction as to whether this train of thought is one I should stick with, or if I should hop off at the next stop, and look for another.

I've enjoyed time at the gym yesterday, and have been out walking. The sun has actually made an appearance several times recently, and I can tell I've been missing it. A couple years ago, I went to a tanner to prepare for a whitewater rafting trip, and the warmth & light was SUCH a mood-lifter. I'm half-considering going back just for that reason - yet it feels like a frivolous and slightly vain thing to do!

A fellow whose parents attend my church came over, and got my wireless network running, and secured yesterday. It's such a treat! God does spoil me sometimes. :)

Trinka

still out here

Really! Just not getting much done outside of work right now. One more week ... one more week ...

I'm still exercising, and still reading.

Since I'm not offering much in the way of interesting reading these days, I thought I'd share a favorite picture.


This is my dog Frances, when she was old, sitting in a field next to my mom's house. I just love the sunflowers (especially now, as the Michigan winter gloom continues).

steaks on the grill

I've been working through an online Bible study at www.settingcaptivesfree.com. There are studies related to many different areas - and I've been doing The Lord's Table related to eating & exercise.

It's been a blessing so far. There is a loosely-structured diet that goes along with it, and it has today scheduled as a day to fast.

To the Christian, a fast is more than just a day of hunger-pangs for health's sake - but it's an opportunity to have more time alone with God (since there's no time required for food preparation, consumption, or clean-up). We use the physical sensations of hunger to remind us of our spiritual hunger, and need for the Lord. It heightens our desires to worship, pray and study. Hunger reminds us of those who are hungry ALL the time physically ... due to poverty, or social ills. It reminds us of those who are hungry all the time SPIRITUALLY ... in some cases without even being aware of it. And we're driven to pray for these, and seek God in how to meet those needs.

So as I've been studying today, and been to our worship service, it has been a true blessing. I went for a walk just now, and could smell steaks cooking on a grill. (We've got sunshine today - first time in nearly a month, and everyone's giddy with it, despite the cold.)

The scent of it made me think of how smells tie in with hunger. I wasn't thinking about being physicallly hungry, until I smelled that meat cooking.

I've written here before about 2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

But today has me thinking about it again. To those who have been spiritually hungry for so long that they've become accustomed to it ... to those who are so busy, and surrounded by noise, that they can't notice hunger ... maybe the aroma of what they need will pique their hunger. Do I focus on Him, so that I draw others in? I want to!

Trinka

this is why I'll never invent the light bulb ...

A very nice fellow came and installed my cable internet Friday. There was a nasty nest of somethin' in the cable box, so it was a most unpleasant job.

He even gave some advice on getting the wireless router to work.

And ... later that night, I had it running and all was well!

and then ... there was today

Several people warned me that there MUST be a password on the wireless. There simply MUST be.

However, none of them seemed able to help me make it happen.

I experimented, and tweaked, and basically wasted the day, and for a time had my internet completelly shut off. Now it works, but sporadically.

I can no longer plug into the cable modem, and the wireless is sporadic. There's still no password, but I can plug into the back of the router and get a signal. I have had a LONG day.

I downloaded the router manual, but I decided to postpone reading it until a later date.

Victory - while I considered eating ice cream when I was stressed, I went for a walk instead. Also got to the gym. I find it very ironic, though, that when I went to work on my Bible study, the subject was "patience." OK. Got it God. Thanks for the reminder. :)

A lady called and asked me if I would consider being the vice-chair of our Christian Women's Ministries committee. It would mean doing a little devotional every other month, and running the meetings when the chairman is away. After today's events, I'm not feeling like much of a leader in anything, but I told her I'd pray about it and give her an answer Friday.

A friend came to watch March of the Penguins with me. (SUCH a good movie) and after telling her about the day, she said it was like Thomas Edison - he had a LOT of days like this before we got the light bulb. I'm just not inventor material, I think. I've GOT to have success, or I just don't press on well.

OK ... back to the battle ...

living on the wrong side of the river

I was reading last night about the time when the children of Israel were getting ready to cross over the Jordan river into the promised land. A couple tribes liked the land on the wrong side of the river, and wanted to claim that for themselves.

They were told they could have it, but they first had to go and fight with the others to claim the promised land.

The promised land is often a picture of our life with Christ. It's possible to be content to sit "just across the river" ... within sight of Christianity, but never get one's feet wet to actually make the commitment. Some people who are "fighting" beside us ... who have the same political views, and the same burdens for social issues ... may never have really made the west side of the Jordan their home.

So I want to remember to make them feel welcome here also! There's plenty of room ... they can claim some ground and plant petunias ... this can be "home" to any who want to get their feet wet.

Speaking of petunias ... I actually got my poor, neglected house-plants transplated. Their roots are still recovering from the shock of 10 years of neglect.

This summer, I overheard a friend out on my balcony talking to my spider plant,
"people shouldn't HAVE plants, if they're not going to take care of them. I'm sorry you suffer so."

OK. I get the picture! :)

Got a good long visit to the gym yesterday, and finally my house is reasonably clean once again. A stay-at-home day off is SO useful every now and then!

Trinka

finally, a solution!!!

I was trying to clean my shower with a goofy sponge-on-a-stick contraption I'd gotten a few years ago for a project.

The thing shredded, and my bathroom looked MUCH worse quickly!

It made me think about those elderly-people's-gadget-catalogues ... (It didn't come from one, but it's the sort of thing you see in them.)

I think the easiest job in the world would be as an advertising copywriter for those things.

The descriptions all read the same way, "FINALLY, and answer to _____(insert non-existent problem, or ridiculous "danger" here)___." Then they tell you abou this miracle, available for only $9.99.

My two favorite items for meeting non-existent needs:

*in the "imagined problem" category -- a special brush to remove lint from your dryer lint trap (there is actually one of these hanging in my building's laundry room, but I've suffered through removing the lint with my fingers rather than detouring an extra 10 feet to use the special brush.

*in the "imagined danger" category, a can-opener that doesn't make sharp edges on the cans. We all know how dangerous those cans can be. (and as a runner-up in the "imagined problem" contest, you can buy a special device to squeeze the oil out of your tuna, now that your can lid no longer fits.)

(OK ... end of cynicism ... though I may revisit this "ridiculous gadget" line of thought if I see another of those goofy catalogues!)

I had today off, and got to the gym for about an hour - felt good, and I wanted to take advantage of the emptiness of it before the students all come back with New Years' resolutions that will keep the place jam-packed for a month or so.

My internet at home still isn't working - I got the equipment and tried to get it running Friday, but there's something not working on the cable-company's end. I have a tech coming out Friday. We'll see how things go for next weekend. :)

Trinka

I want to know his NAME

A bit of news from the town where I grew up ...

A good idea takes on speed

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A Paw Paw, Mich., man's idea to free his car mired in mud went slightly awry when the driverless vehicle careened across a field at 100 mph.

Calhoun County Sheriff's Lt. James McDonagh told WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo, the 29-year-old man tried to push his car out of the mud Wednesday but found it impossible without someone in the vehicle to pus the gas pedal.

So, he grabbed a toolbox from his trunk and put it on the gas pedal of his rear-wheel drive car. A couple of pushes later, the car popped out and sped off across a muddy field at speeds reaching 100 mph, McDonagh said.

The car even became airborne a couple times until it hit a tree.

The embarrassed driver was not ticketed.

the best wine

I was reading in John 2 this morning, where the Lord turned the water into wine -- His first miracle.

Wine is often a picture of joy in the Bible ... and aren't there times in OUR lives where the wine runs out, just like it did at this wedding in Cana? Sometimes even when there is every reason for joy (as there was at the wedding), our joy will still run dry.

If we offer Him whatever's left ... the water in the wash-pots, He can make it joyous. And His joy comes in unexpected ways, overwhelming quantities, and quality that excells what we can get on our own. It also comes at the end of things ... sometimes there's a bit of lean-ness to go through first.

Exercise-wise, I got to the gym last night for a good, long while.

Trinka

exercise accountability

I missed 3 days last week - (not consecutive, but still not good). But I am headed to the gym right after work!

For Christmas a friend is giving me a year's subscription to cable internet ... after a 3-year hiatus, I'll have access at home again. I have missed it!

Trinka

a bit of politics ...

I just couldn't resist this one. :)

• Ways to be a Good Democrat
  
  You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.
  
  You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.
  
  You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.
  
  You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.
  
  You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.
  
  You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th-graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.
  
  You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but urban activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.
  
  You have to believe that having self-esteem is more important than self-respect or actually doing something to earn it.
  
  You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it attacks certain parts of the Constitution.
  
  You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.
  
  You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Thomas Edison.
  
  You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.
  
  You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.
  
  You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese government is somehow in the best interest of the United States. But, complain, that all of our jobs are going out of America to China .
  
  You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.

Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a blessed day today. :)

Who is this fellow? You know ... the one whose birth started this whole Christmas thing?

He claimed to be God.
(Not "a" god. "THE" God).

He claimed to be the only way to heaven ... "THE way, THE truth, THE life"
(very intolerant fellow, really.)

What do you think of Him?

Off to our 8:30 service and then to my mom's for dinner. :)

Trinka

acini di pepe

Whew knew there WAS such a thing? It's a little tiny pasta, that I had in a WONDERFUL salad recently. I got the recipe, and plan to make it for Christmas. So last night, I went to the store, and bought all the ingreidents. Except I forgot the pasta. How's that for strange ... buy the pasta salad ingredients, and forget the pasta. :)

Went BACK to the store this morning, and discovered that acini di pepe pasta isn't quite as easy to find as one might hope. :) More shopping to follow at lunch today! (I'll copy the recipe at the end ... it's one of the few pasta salads I've found that contains vinegar that doesn't taste overwhelmingly of the stuff).

Got to the fancy, expensive gym on my free-week coupon last night, and discovered it's not NEARLY as nice as the $60/year university gym. The equipment is less stable; there are fewer options in weight machines, and the weights listed on the side of the machines don't seem to be "true" to how heavy they feel (assuming the ones I'm used to are standard). I usually lift 72 pounds with my arms, and 84 with my legs ... yet on these machines last night, there were times I could barely budge 70 pounds, and other times it felt way too light. I'm realizing how thankful I am for my alumni benefits at the college! I used the eliptical machine for a while, and definately am a fan - they're easy to use, not too hard on the knees, and less "bouncy" so you can read while you're on them.

Looking forward to Christmas - may your day bring to mind He whose birth it celebrates!

Trinka


Acini di Pepe Salad

1 1/2 cups acini di pepe pasta, or any small pasta such as orzo
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup yellow grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 cup finely sliced radicchio
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1 1/2 cups basil leaves, torn into large pieces
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes or until tender.
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Toss the pasta with the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and salt.
Fold in the tomatoes, pine nuts, radicchio, onion, and basil.
Sprinkle with the feta cheese.
Serve at room temperature.

what're you hungry for?

I was reading in Luke 1 this morning, specifically in Mary's song after she saw Elizabeth, and was thinking about the coming Messiah she was carrying.

v. 53 says, "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away."

If we bring our hungers to Him ... He's ready to fill us with good things. But if we're too "rich" to need Him ... if we're satisfied with our own answers ... we'll go away empty.


GK Chesterton wrote, "Even when men knock on the door of a brothel they’re looking for God."

I want to remember that, whatever I'm hungry for -- He has the real answers!

Got to the gym Monday night. (And a man thought I was staff and asked me what time they closed ... how 'bout THEM apples? I actually looked like I belonged there. Still pondering on the amazing nature of THAT). :)

Last night no exercise happened because of prayer meeting.

Tonight, the university gym is closed for Christmas. But I'm using a "free week" coupon at the fitness center that just opened up around the corner.

This is the "you've got to sign your life away to join" gym ... (quote from a lawyer-friend who saw the contract sitting on my desk ... "of course, you don't intend to sign this, right?") so I'm not interested in becoming a member. But I'll certainly take advantage of the free week until the university opens again. :)

Trinka

I tried to do the right thing!

Got up at 6:30 this morning (on my day off, thank you) and drove to the gym ... and it has weird holiday hours - doesn't open until 8:00. Like ... the day's half over by then! :)

Drove home again, and started in on my day. I hope to at least get in a walk later.

Also got to the library around 9:00, and they don't open 'till 10:00.

Whoever establishes business hours is obviously NOT a morning person. :)

Had the interesting cultural experience of watching the Today show this morning while drinking my coffee.

It's fascinating to get a glimpse of pop culture every now and then (from a safe distance). There were dozens of people who appeared to spend their whole morning standing outside the tv studio trying to get their pictures on television. Can you imagine? What would cause a person to wake up one morning, and say, "what I'd like to do today is stand around outside, wearing a funny hat, shrieking every time a camera is turned on."

Then, what was actually ON the program was also enlightening. There was a singer interviewed, and they made quite a big deal over him. Somebody-or-other Fox. He had a lovely voice, but the lyrics to this "wonderful song he wrote for the ladies" were ... well ... filthy.

All in all, my few minutes with the Today show this morning convinced me that I'm definately not missing anything by not watching it.

FOUR whole days off ...

In 55 minutes, I'm fixin' to shut down this computer, and not turn it on until Tuesday.

It's been a VERY hectic season, with a lot of social commitments in the evenings.

I'm SO looking forward to a bit of at-home time.

I love being in my house. Quiet. With books, and house-work, and odd jobs to do.

(all the social-types are reading this and saying, "she's taking time off to stay HOME?")

Yep. Do it all the time. :)

highly collectible

Tell me ... do you find this phrase appealing?

Would you want to purchase something that was "highly collectible"?

I'm seeing it a LOT lately, and it brings to mind tribbles ... remember them from the old Star Trek series? Get one, and you end up with hundreds ... spilling out of doors, hiding in your shoes, etc.

So whenever I see the phrase, I just want to run away, before the "highly collectible" stuff attaches itself to me, and starts multiplying in corners of my house.

Clutter = "bad thing"

Trinka

Christmas busy-ness

I've decided to give myself the year off ... I'm not hauling out the Christmas decorations, and sending only the bare minimum of Christmas cards. It's a relief, both in terms of time and money.

I might look for a clearance, easy-to-assemble fake tree after Christmas this year - mine is ratty, and hard to put together. Maybe that will make it seem like less of an ordeal to face next year.

Friday I fell on the ice, and ended up with a pulled muscle that's making exercise challenging, but I did get to the gym. Every evening is filled up through Monday the 19th, so I don't have much chance for consistency until then. I'm hoping to eat like a bird, in hopes the sabbatical won't do too much damage.

Trinka

the little mysteries of life

Yesterday I received a hand-addressed envelope with the "information you requested about our museum."

That would be an antique aircraft museum, in Georgia.

It's been 10 years, and 3 address changes since I last drove through Georgia. I don't know anyone in Georgia. I haven't visited any antique aircraft-related web sites.

So, my curiosity is quite active, wondering, "how did I request this information?" :)

If it had been a data-base printed mass-mailing label, I'd assume my name was on a history-lovers list. But the hand-written envelope creates the puzzle. (Though Georgia sounds VERY nice right now!)

One responsibility ended last night. (Though I was told yesterday that I'll be on the condo board whether I'm elected or not, as someone plans to resign at the end of January, and whoever doesn't get elected will be appointed to replace her.

Had a delightful day off yesterday. I had saved some vacation time for a proposed trip to China that didn't happen, and they asked me to use some of it up, rather than carry it all into 2006. I got to the gym early in the morning when it wasn't busy (love that!), got a few things done around the house, and made an African groundnut (peanut) stew ... which I didn't try yet, but is waiting to be heated up for my lunch today.

A good friend suggested the idea of reading through the Psalms & New Testament with a hurting friend in mind, and praying for them when various verses brought them to mind, highlighting the verses, and then giving them the Bible when you're finished. I've been doing this for the friends who lost their daughter in a car accident a couple months back, and it's been such a blessing. I'm near the end of Psalms and ready to start on the New Testament. It's been especially interesting to notice how often the sea is mentioned in Psalms. The sea can be seen sometimes as a metaphor for the idea of separation ... which for somone who has lost a family member, is definately relevant.

Here's just a little sample:

Ps 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Ps 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

God rules even in this situation! While death was not in His original plan for this earth, He isn't defeated by it.

Ps 78:13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

Ps 78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

The Lord will bring His people through this ... sometimes in ways that will be totally baffling to a watching world! Without Him, the separation can be totally overwhelming.

************

N. got so much done for me yesterday - it's just a delight to come to work when she's been here. However, she told me that she's taken a part-time job, so won't be available as much from now on. While I'm happy for her, I'm selfishly feeling a bit sorry for myself!

Better get some things done around here myself! :)

Trinka

one more week

and my schedule will lighten up some ... just one more week!

I've not gotten in exercise every day, just due to the schedule craziness. And reading/studying is not where it should be either. I'm just holding my breath, in anticipation. A lighter workload, coming soon to a Trinka near you. :)

I am in the process of reading through Psalms and the N.T. with a family in mind who's grieving, highlighting different passages that make me think of them. I thought it might be an encouragement to them - I know it has been to me!

now THAT's the way to promote education!

An anonymous person has just donated college scholarships to every graduate of the Kalamazoo (Michigan) public schools.

It is so neat to see someone being generous like this, with no public recognition ... and the thought of how many lives will be changed as a result is just glorious!

In contrast, a lady whose blog I read is recommending that we do this:

This week, Congress will decide how much America will contribute toward an
important international effort called the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and
Malaria.Let’s keep up the positive pressure: Please email Congress today and ask
their support for $100 million in the Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill for the
Global Fund-- an effort that fights back against three killer diseases and
encourages other countries to do their share. "

Now ... if each person who e-mails their congressperson with this request would, instead, contribute money to meeting these needs ... think how much more productive they would be!

It's easier to demand that the government confiscate funds and channel them ... but the amount of beauracracy waste getting the money there, and the lack of accountability from those receiving the money is staggering.

Rather than having the government confiscate $1 of my money, and getting .10 to the needed area ... which will then be squandered by corrupt management. Why not let me give the whole $1 to an organization I've researched and trust that's meeting a need about which I'm passionate?

"Rich people won't do that ... they want to keep their money" the cynics say. OK. Then what's this going on in Kalamazoo, I ask?

In other news ... when home for Thanksgiving, my mom showed me her snazzy new handgun. Yep. Handgun. She's going to classes for a concealed-carry permit. "Calm in crises situations" is not exactly a phrase that comes to mind when I think of my mother ... but maybe a bit of firepower will encourage it. Find it all very hard to picture.

I did, however, request some handling-guns-safely, how-to-shoot-the-thing lessons from my step-dad this summer - I'm ignorant about guns, and I dislike having broad areas of ignorance (except of course ignorance of professional sports, which I actively cultivate.) :)

Cozied up house-sitting at T's house watching her cat, and soaking up the free internet today.

Trinka

the joys of delegating

Since we have this day tomorrow set aside to think about what we're thankful for, I am prompted to mention some folks who don't often get noticed.

I am so thankful for the volunteers who are willing to show up whenever I have a big project here at work. The last two weeks' productivity is almost exclusively due to these dear folks who shelved books, stuffed envelopes, collated paperwork, etc.

It's such an enormous benefit to the office, and to me personally. When people compliment my efficiency, really, it's these folks' efforts they're noticing.

While those on the outside of the situation probably never realize all that they do, I'm so thankful that God DOES realize it, and they'll hear "well done" from Him one day.

Just in the last two weeks, these folks have spent HOURS here, while I tapped away at the computer, working on the NEXT project ... which they then came and spent HOURS on, while I worked on the next project ... you get the idea!

And I am thankful!

Joyce W., Sue M., Lori S., Joyce B., Ray B., Sylvia E., Karen J. ... and others too!

this Access problem I'm wrestling with ...

Anyone out there know Access?

I'm working on our church directory, and all I want to do is turn off the labels of fields that contain no information.

Doesn't this seem like it ought to be a simple property listed somewhere?

Nope. Doesn't appear to be!

Here's a picture of my report design ... if anyone has any suggestions for how to get the "E-mail" and "Birthday" labels to shut off (in instances where there's no information in the field), I'd be MOST thankful for the help. I might even buy dinner, if you're not an ax murderer or an Amway sales rep!

0-5 in 24 hours

Still getting to the gym ... still reading (enjoying 1 Peter 4 this morning).

However, not much ELSE is getting done! This time of year is always like this, and I need to remember that.

Every year, the directories get done.
Every year, the tax receipts get done.
Every year, the annual reports get done.

It always feels like they won't. But they always do. Keeping that in mind is helpful!

Total snow this season in Michigan as of yesterday morning at 8:25:
0 inches

Total snow this season in Michigan as of this morning at 8:25:
5 inches (and still coming down)

I was sitting outside Saturday night, after dark, with no coat talking on the phone ... and now this!

Trinka

2 years ... that's amazing

I realized last night that I've been exercising consistently for two years. (other than times when I've been too sick to get moving).

This is amazing considering my schedule and general dislike for anything that can't be described with the adjective "cozy". I'm expecting a certificate of recognition any day now. :) (guess I'd better get busy creating one!)

about these "youths" rioting in France.

"Muslim" youths. Muslim. They're leaving that important word out in nearly every report. The media doesn't seem to feel it's significant.

It's not about poverty. It's about ideology.

Trinka (who doesn't recall the fire-bombings from what I've read about the great depression ... hmmm ... there was a LOT of poverty then)

where HAVE you been?

Well ... I'm right in the midst of my busiest season here at work ... Mid October-January is pretty crammed. On top of that, our new pastor is here, starting his first week. He's fitting in well, and we're all enjoying working together. BUT on top of an already-busy season, he's trying to find his way around town, get settled in his office, etc. And that requires my time as well.

Then in outside-work life, I've accepted a few more responsibilities than I should. Those should be letting up in mid December.

But until then, I'm grabbing shreds of time with my fingernails trying to stay on top of it all! :)

Exercise has been happening, though not as faithfully as before, simply because of all the above mentioned commitments. I actually took a couple hours vacation time yesterday afternoon just to get a walk in. It was one of those late-autumn days that just calls you to be outside.

Did get gas this morning for $2.09. This situation is definately looking up.

I'll make up for my blogging negligence with a delightful collection of plays on words that appeared in my in-box this morning:

For All You Lexiphiles (Lovers of Words)

1. A bicycle can't stand alone because it is two-tired.

2. What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway).

3. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

4. A backward poet writes inverse.

5. In democracy it's your vote that counts; In feudalism, it's your count that votes.

7. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

8. If you don't pay your exorcist you get repossessed.

9. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.

10. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat minor.

11. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.

12. The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.

13. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

14. You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

15. Local Area Network! in Australia: the LAN down under.

16. He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

17. Every calendar's days are numbered.

18. A lot of money is tainted. 'Taint yours and 'taint mine.

19. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.

20. He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

21. A plateau is a high form of flattery.

22. The short fortuneteller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

23. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

24. When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.

25. Those who jump off a Paris bridge are in Seine.

26. When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye.

27. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

28. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

29. Acupuncture is a jab well done.

30. Marathon runners with bad footwear suffer the agony of defeat

Bill Clinton is Forrest Gump

Now, I saw this movie years ago, but don't really remember much about it ... other than that the main character seemed to find himself in the middle of every great historical event of his lifetime.

Yesterday at Rosa Parks funeral, Clinton, instead of just talking about her life and contribution, felt the need to mention that he and a friend took her actions as a permission to sit in the back of the bus ... fulfilling a life-long dream (or some-such).

Oh. Brother. Give. Me. A. Break.

He was 8 years old.

Why must everything out of that man's mouth be a lie? And why must the media insist on repeating those lies, trying to make him look like a paragon of virtue?

Just let him drift into history quietly. Please. He is a shame to our country, and if the democrats ever want to be taken seriously, they've got to divorce themselves from him! I would be willing to at least listen to their arguments, if their chief spokesperson weren't such a caricature.

Exercise ... I got to the gym Sunday, pilates Monday, dance dance revolution Tuesday (I do love that thing!) and a walk last night. Not as much as I'd LIKE to have done, but at least it was consistent.

I've been reading in 1 Peter 2 and 3, and just marveling at how different God's standard is from our own ... when people are unreasonable, or circumstances unpleasant, the Christian can take it as from HIS hand, and trust Him in it. He wants to create in us an un-natural reaction to bad circumstances ... one that will draw others to want what we've got.

Trinka

autumn-gloomies ...

If I heard the weather right, sunset is at 5:30 tonight. Really.

I SO dislike going to work and coming home again in the dark.

Closing my eyes and waiting for spring.

these are fun! put yours in the comments section

1. Your first (or preferred) name? Trinka

2. What color pants are you wearing? cream
(pants in the American sense ... thank you! ... for you foreigners ... "trousers" please!)

3. What are you listening to right now? the washing machine

4. What was the last thing you ate? oatmeal ... am I exciting or WHAT?

5. Do you wish on stars? nope ... why go for the counterfeit when I have the real thing?

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my mom

7. Favorite drink? diet pepsi

8. Favorite sport? Does Dance Revolution count? Or Othello? :)

9. What was the last movie you watched? March of the Penguins -- SO good!

10. Favorite day of the year? don't have one

11. What was your favorite toy as a child? Fred-Shep ... the incredibly shabby stuffed dog

12. Summer or winter? Summer

13. Hugs or kisses? Have to take hugs ... since I've never tried kisses!

14. Chocolate or Vanilla? Smooth, rich, dark chocolate...mmmmm

15. When was the last time you cried? Wednesday night prayer meeting ... God is so good to us

16. What is under your bed? Plastic containers with extra sheets, and picture matting supplies

17. What did you do last night? Went for a walk with L., and did laundry (see singles have such exciting lives!)

18. Favorite smell? tie between bread baking and lilies of the valley

19. Happy In life? Very blessed ... BETTER than happy

20. Butter or salted popcorn? Butter

21. Favorite car? any one that's running and paid for

22. Favorite Flower? lilies of the valley and lilacs

23. How many years at your current job? 10

24. Favorite day of the week? Sunday

25. What did you do on your last birthday? Taco Bell with T.

2.26

Is what I paid for gas today. Woo hoo! They almost givin' the stuff away. :)

(I'm so easily indoctrinated. I remember whining and refusing to buy when it went over $2/gallon!)

Condo management got my heat fixed. I do enjoy a working heating system!

Got in a little aerobic exercise yesterday before Bible study and pilates afterwards ... so I get partial credit. :)

Looking forward to house-sitting for T. this weekend, so I'll probably walk Riverside Park if the weather's nice. That's 4.5 miles round trip, so it makes a great outing, and the trees are beautiful.

Trinka

This is what I would really like to do ...

I'd like to put together a really good directory of poetry & quotes, catalogued by topic and Scripture reference.

I have several books like this ... but almost universally they've got a few good quotes/poems, with many more ordinary ones, that seem to be just chosen to fill up the category.

Meanwhile, I've got these wonderful, relatively obscure books of poetry, hymns, sermons and letters. And the material in them is disappearing from public view.

I want to put together a reference tool that will get this stuff acessible again, in a format where you can find what you want, when you want it.

This morning, I was skimming Mountain Rain - a collection of poems by Amy Carmichael. (She was a missionary who ran orphanages in India. She never married, and her whole life was consumed by rescuring children who had been sold into prostitution in the Hindu temples, and raising them to know the Lord. She spent her last few years confined to bed after an injury, and during that time, produced such wonderful writing.

There was so much wonderful stuff in this book ... yet I know when I NEED something on a particular topic, it will be so hard to remember where I saw it, and go back and find it.

Hence this cataloguing-project idea. I'm thinking of maybe doing it in an Access database, but if anyone out there has tacked something like this, I'd be interested to hear how you did it! I'd like to post it on a web page, so it would be available as I'm updating it. (Think of www.cyberhymnal.org ... only with more diverse topics, and done with poetry & quotes as well as hymns).

Suggestions anyone?

(note ... any poetry that rhyms the words "sorrow" and "tomorrow" is automatically excluded simply for annoying me). :)

Trinka

a lesson in punctuation

I think it's time to admit that the furnace in the condo is NOT working ... I keep listening to pings in the radiator, and assuming that heat will be forthcoming. It's not happening. Gotta do something about this soon ... there's only so many layers one can wear and still function! :)

Saw this little punctuation lesson, and thought it was great!
****************************
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours?
Jane
****************************
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Jane

off in my own little world

I got a walkman-type CD player to wear to the gym, and tried it out last night.

I really found myself enjoying the isolation of being swimming in my own little pool of music amidst the crowds. It cut down some on the hectic-ness of the gym atmosphere. Gonna keep doing this, I think. Now I just need to find some kind of belt or arm-band to hold the thing, so I'm not having to hang on to it the whole time!

Along the lines of music ... I was looking up some poems for Thursday's Bible study, and ran across this. I've tried to learn instruments, and to sing ... and while I can master the bare-bones-basics, I'm just not built to get much farther than that. There are so many nuances that are just lost on me. I appreciated this poem this morning! :)

To a Mute Musician

So music was ”left out” of your makeup.
You were just “not there”
When music was handed out.

It may be true
That you cannot sing, nor play an instrument.
Perhaps the mysteries of counterpoint and harmony
Will always be a closed book to you.

But I wonder
If that is all there is
To being a musician?
I think perhaps the violin
Is not conscious of the music
That lies hidden in its heart;
Yet countless multitudes
Rejoice
In the melodies that flow from it
When the Master takes the bow
And plays upon it.

I wonder
If you may not have lived
Closer to the Master of all Music
Than you know.
You have allowed Him to take
Life’s dissonances,
And in you to resolve them
Into celestial concord.

You may not hear
The music that He makes;
Yet others hear the song
And bring Him praise.

One day
I think you will take your place
Among the truly great musicians
Of His court;
For you,
Who may not know earth’s music,
Have learned the Song
Of heaven.

-- E. Margaret Clarkson

my gets-paid-for-HIS-writing brother ...

who hasn't bothered to create a blog HIMSELF, wrote me this morning to ask why I haven't been updating mine.

So here I am. :)

It's a fairly busy season at work, so I'm not getting here as often as I planned.

Due to the ladies' Bible study, I didn't get any exercising done yesterday except pilates. I am trying to re-create that habit, though, so it was good to get it in.

Tonight I plan to get myself to the gym. I bought myself a walkman CD player, and am looking forward to trying it out.

For last night's study, I was doing some reading on the blessings God brings through dark times.

Isaiah 45:
2 "I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.
3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

There are things we learn in the darkness that we can't learn anywhere else. And when we find these things hidden in times of sorrow, we KNOW it's got to be from God ... that He is in it.

When Israel was wandering in the wilderness, we see that He gave them a pillar of fire to lead them in the night:

Ex 13:21 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

He didn't leave them in the dark without help ... He showed Himself strong to them, and to the outside world that was watching ... this totally un-natural guidance in dark times was a strong proof to them of God's intervention in His people's lives.

A few other Scriptures that have blessed me as I've considered this:

Da 2:22 "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.

The Lord gives songs in the night:

Ps 42:8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.

Isa 42:16 "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone."

Ps 91:5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
He reassured them of His love for them, and at the same time, struck terror into the hearts of their enemies, by providing unnatural light and guidance in the night.

Isa 26:9 At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Ps 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.

Ps 63:6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,

well, THAT's done

This is the first time I've ever had a car with a door-and-trunk-unlocker doo-dad (I mean, other than the key). :)

It also has one of those panic buttons. I just KNEW eventually I'd hit the thing and be one of those people everyone stares at in parking lots.

Got that one out of the way this morning at the grocery store before work.

Fortunately I got it shut off before too many people noticed!

This morning the greeter at the store told me she thought I was losing weight.

I found this interesting not because I actually HAVE lost weight (still fighting the battle). I was wearing the "have you lost weight" capri pants. (of which, I now have 4 pairs ... for that very reason).

I found it intersting because she remembered me.

Whenever anyone says, "how are you," I have been making a concerted effort for the last few years to stop. Look them in the eye, and give a pleasant answer. Then ask them the same question and really listen to what they say.

And this lady remembered me.

I live my life in such a state of rush - always trying to fit as much into every free moment as possible. Yet how long does it take to stop and have a pleasant conversation with the lady at the grocery store?

Maybe 30 seconds?

It's worth it.

Got to the gym last night, though I skipped the bicep machine because the incredibly sweaty guy before me hadn't cleaned it off, and it was just too gross to deal with. :)

I was reading in the section of the Old Testament (Numbers, maybe? Forgot to look. This chronological Bible gets me confused about where I'm reading sometimes!).

The Jews were on their journey from Egypt to Israel, and the Lord had them send spies into Israel to bring back some of the fruit of the land. And it was amazing -- bigger than they could have possibly imagined.

I'm also studying the fruit of the Spirit in the Christian's life - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.

I wonder if God also causes people who aren't yet residents of the promised land (who haven't yet given their lives to God), to come amongst Christians and look around a little.

Do they get a taste of the fruit in our lives? Is it so extraordinary that they leave still thinking about it? Does it show them that this is a place that God has blessed? Do they want to move in?

Something I can ask for in my life!

Got the chance to have a long walk at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids last Friday. It was just so lovely - the leaves were turning, and the sun was sparkling on the river. I saw a blue heron catching his dinner, and a duck and a squirrel arguing over the same acorn (duck won). Such a beautiful world we live in!

(Yes. I admit it. I do live within driving distance of Grand Rapids...Have I mentioned my doberman and gun collection? Gotta tell you all about them one day).

Trinka

a quick update for those who don't watch the news ...

For a story on the upstanding protestors in Toledo:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172437,00.html

excuse me ... toledo?

When visiting skinheads are the well-manned people in town, you've got serious issues.

Heard on the news over the weekend,
"there were out-of-towners instigating things."

Know what? No amount of instigation would cause me to knock down the doors on an old man's house. No amount of instigation would make me think, "hey, let's throw bricks at this ambulence window."

Nope.

Wouldn't happen.

"But you don't know what it is to live in poverty, and be looked down on."

You might be surprised. :)

Nevertheless ... no temptation to trash my neighborhood or hurt old, sick people.

why pop music doesn't offend me

At the gym this morning (patting self on back), I was listening to a classic rock station they had playing.

I am not musical ... I have no gifts in this area other than a love for poetry, which translates into a love for lyrics ... but I'm not sensitive to tone like many are.

So, this song is playing, and I thought, "I should just try listening to the words, and seeing what it's about."

This is what non-musical me got from it:

Out here in the fields
(so far, so good, right? Sounds like the start of a ballad or something.)

blah blah blah my eels

yep ... that's the closest I could come to picking out actual words. From this point, it got totally unintelligible, until the line:

I need to ask forgiveness

OK. What for? Maybe the eels were served sureptitiously to guests or something?

Oh well ... so much for my foray into pop culture. At least the music isn't planting disgusting stuff in my brain - I don't even understand it. :)

Though as I was leaving there was one playing with a man saying again and again,
I've got her under my thumb.

Hmmm ... this sounds to me like a rock singer who probably does NOT get many dates. :)

Male rock singer: "wanna go out Friday night?"

Lady remembering the "under my thumb" song): "No. I was planning to use a do-it-yourself eyeball transplant kit I got through the internet."

:)

Anyhow, I know we bloggers are expected to comment on pop culture. I suppose that's the best you're gonna get from me.

Trinka

has anyone seen an escaped cricket?

I just couldn't resist ... really.

At the funeral home Sunday, I was visiting with B.'s parents.

B. is my upstairs neighbor.

They asked if I had heard loud pounding coming from B.'s apartment late one night.

Yes. In fact, I had.

They went on to say that B. has a strong dislike for bugs, and she was trying to kill a stubborn cricket one night - by pounding it with a broom handle.

Now, I have no particular animosity towards crickets, in fact, I like the sound they make. I really couldn't resist the opportuinity ...

Monday morning, I left the following note on B.'s door:

Have you by any chance seen my pet cricket? He got away a few days ago,
and I know they tend to travel upwards ... Trinka :)

I thought, just in case she didn't automatically realize that people didn't normally keep crickets as pets, the smiley face would have led her in that direction.

Apparently not ... she called her father in a panic, wondering what on earth she could tell me about the cricket assassination. Fortunately her father remembered the previous day's conversation!

On a more serious note, I was reading the following news article this morning: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051011/D8D62SSG3.html

Stevie Wonder is lamenting the lack of love in our society.

It's amazing to me that people SEE the problem, and assume it must be tackled by addressing the surface issues.

Yet, there seems to be no consideration of the roots!

The issue isn't people being rude on the bus, or not holding the door for little old ladies.

The issue is that hearts are becoming more and more self-involved, and respect for human life is dwindling.

Why is this?

Not because we don't have plenty of exhortations to love each other and be kind to each other. The culture is quite well-supplied with that kind of message.

It's because our hearts need a radical change, in order to have others' needs ahead of our own. Society won't be changed, unless the change first starts with God working in hearts. That's the ONLY answer. (Though I still think voting Republican is a good plan.) :)

Got to the gym last night, and didn't feel sick. Yippee! The body seems to be cooperating again.

Trinka

the time is short and eternity is long

The service yesterday was a real blessing ... so hard to see a casket that small ... yet what a testimony that little girl had of love for God and for others.

This little girl knew she was right with God. Her obituary described the events of Friday afternoon as her "stepping off the gravel and into the presence of the Lord."

It prompts me to ask ... gentle-reader ... what if it had been you?

Today you're sitting today in front of that computer ... breathing.

What if tomorrow, you're not?

One of us in this little e-community will be the next one of us to die.

It's the ultimate statistic ... one out of every one dies.

We'll stand before our creator, and no matter how many good things we've done, we'll be faced with the truth that it's not enough.

The Bible is clear that there is a way to be right with God. But it's also clear that the answer isn't found in anything we can accomplish on our own.

Romans 3:23 says that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

So we're all standing on common ground ... good people and murderers; hypocrites and humble.

What does that common ground earn us?

Romans 6:23 says, "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So, my wages ... what I've earned by my sin (ANY sin), is death.

BUT

So thankful for that "but" ...

God offers sinners the gift of eternal life - not on the basis of our merit (thankfully), but rather through Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God's gift of freedom from the penalty we earned by our sin did not come cheap.

The penalty had to be paid, and only One sacrifice would be sufficient -- His own Son.

A gift only belongs to me if I accept it, right? If I leave that bouquet of roses sitting on the front steps, they're never really mine. It's the same with this gift God offers us.

Romans 10:9-11 says, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

This is the whole theme of the Bible summed up in a neat package -- we are incapable of making ourselves worthy of God's attention ... yet He loves us, and desires to make a way for us to come to Him.

The one Bible verse that almost everyone knows sums it up so beautifully! John 3:16 -
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Interested in learning more about these things? There's a great, easy-to-read book called The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus by John R. Cross (it's available from Amazon at - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890082147/103-4775512-5355038?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

End of preach for today.

Exercise-related accountability - I got to the gym over the weekend, and have been walking. Last night was ladies' Bible study, and so nothing else got done after work.

Trinka

heavy hearts here

We've just had our second unexpected death in the past month. The first was a young mom over Labor Day weekend; the second was a nine-year-old girl yesterday afternoon.

Both families are involved in many, many ministries at the church ... both are very dear to many hearts.

This is not outside God's providence. He will work all things for the good of those who love Him.

But if you think to pray for these dear ones, and that we will know how to stand in the gap for them ... it would be appreciated.

Got to the gym this morning ... still feel really sick while working out, but I lessened the weights by one increment, and that seemed to help some.

Had a great time last night at a get-together learning more about Answers in Genesis' new museum http://www.answersingenesis.org - I'm hoping to go down and see it when it opens.

Trinka

care for a side of hypocrisy with that humble pie?

I've been exercising (though not to the gym ... due to this sick-to-my-stomach situation that doesn't seem to go away), and been reading - particularly in 1 Peter, as I get ready for the Monday night ladies' Bible study.

I've been thinking about sin lately. I know ... I know ... not a pleasant subject!

But nonethless, it's been on my mind.

As I mentioned in the last post, I've been listening in my car to a series of sermons on Romans by Charles Leiter (http://www.lakeroadchapel.org - I don't think the Romans series is posted, but some of his other messages are). He's mentioned several times the idea that the greatest sins are those we commit against God ... forgetting Him, choosing others above Him, etc.

Also this week, someone confessed something to me that I found shocking.

In praying about that situation, and considering the messages I'm listening to, it's had me examining my attitudes towards sin.

Why did I find the confession shocking? Because I think of some sins as worse than others. But my standards are so different from God's!

Actually, it's MY sins that are worst. Preoccupation, seeking entertainment, and focus on my "to do" list regularly put God at the back of my mind. I can go entire days without involving Him in my life.

The shame is MINE. My sins are persistent, and on-going, and rarely confessed or acknowledged.

This song, from Fernando Ortega's new CD, has been woven through my thinking on this:
(You can listen at: http://www.fernandoortega.com) It's talking not so much about the shame associated with sin, as that of just human-ness. However, it's figuring into my meditations on this subject in a way I haven't quite got a handle on just yet.

SHAME

Though I am weak
Sometimes weary
In times of trial
I hide my face
In the balance
Judge me wholly
Please don’t judge me
By my shame

In dark hours
Of confrontation
When words may fall
Too soon to unsay
Don’t mistake them
For my true meaning
They are measures
Of my shame

I have tried to
Live life humbly
Not a coward
Not in vain
When my meekness
Overcomes me
Remember me
Not my shame
Not my shame

I am small
And self-conscious
Every mirror
Reflects the grain
Judge my essence
By my kinships
Remember me
Not my shame

I am weak
Sometimes weary
Sometimes small
I hide away
When my hours
Are all accounted
Please don’t bind me
To my shame

I have tried to
Live life humbly
Not a coward
Not in vain
When my meekness
Overcomes me
Remember me
Not my shame
Not my shame(repeat)

In reality, it's purely the mercy of God that has kept me. That's it.

God, in His providence, chose to weave together circumstances in such a way that I didn't end up in this other one's shoes. The wall between me and shocking behavior is one God erected, and one that my heedlessness could tear down in a second, if He left me to myself.

Thankful for His protection, and desiring to be constantly reminded that it's He who is responsible for anything worthwhile in my life,

Trinka

which is worse?

I didn't get any exercise yesterday, and it appears none will be coming today, as both days were/are packed to the brim. But I did walk 5 miles or so Saturday, and I'm hoping it will compensate at least somewhat!

I drove up near Cadillac to pick up a friend Sunday afternoon. The trees were starting to change up there, and it was just beautiful.

I was listening to a series of sermons on Romans, and it was a blessing. The one that was playing this morning was talking about the difference between ungodliness and unrighteousness.

If we were to ask people what sins are "worst" ...what would they say?

Almost universally, they (I) would focus first on things that injur others .... then on crimes related to property, etc.

However, that isn't God's order at all!

The first and greatest command is to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind and strength.

Hmmm ... wouldn't that mean that violating this command is the greatest sin?

Good for me to remember that God's priorities are different than my own ... that no matter how much I think I'm a "good person" ... because I don't do ___________ ... He knows that I violate this greatest commandment ALL THE TIME.

Still needing to be changed!
Trinka

can you believe I drove to McDonalds for free internet

just to post pictures of my car?

Yep. I did. :)

Here she is - her name is "Lil #5" (the first two Lils were Ford Escorts, the second two were Chevy Cavaliers.) Lil #1 had a most glorious demise, as she caught fire, and drove herself into the side of our house ... but that's a story for another time. :) (and I'll even scan pictures to accompany it)

on being critical

I got in a quick walk last night, but due to an oofy-stomach, didn't pursue it too far!

However, since eating hasn't been appealing, I've dropped weight, so I won't complain too strenuously.

I was reading in 1 Peter 1 this morning,

22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

We're to love one another with sincerity, fervency, and from a pure heart (as it says in the KJV).

It's a good reminder to me, as I see a tendency toward being critical ... and this is NOT the person I want to be! I may have said it here before, but I was struck by the idea (which I read somewhere ... can't remember where) that being critical is really slaping God's face. When I criticize another Christian, I'm saying that God hasn't worked in their life in the way I think best. That's a little silly, isn't it? Yet it's a perspective that's all-too-easy to fall into!

He's God. I'm not. Need to keep that in mind!

Going up north to pick up a friend Sunday. It's supposed to be a beautiful day for a drive, and I'm still in the honeymoon phase with that new car, so I'm looking forward to it!

Trinka
Trinka

back to work

Today is my first day back.

Statistics about my days off:

# of trips to the gym: 2
# of days without exercise: none!
# of things crossed off my "to-do list": none :( Not so thrilled about that last one!

However, quite a few unexpected things came up that required large chunks of time, and the days off allowed that, so it was a blessing.

I bought a new Saturn and sold my Cavalier ... which required considerable running here & there for several days. The price came through at less than he had quoted me, and I discovered that full coverage on this car is nearly the same price that PLPD was on the old one ... what a blessing! Hope to snap a picture of myself with the new car, and post it some time soon.

I had the pastor-candidate and his wife over for brunch, and that took a lot of time in the preparation stage. (I always choose to have people for brunch, under the assumption that I can't ruin it ... proved THAT one wrong!). :)

I was reading in Lev. 21, and thinking about the criteria for the high priest's wife.
10 ‘The priest who is the highest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garments ...
13 ‘He shall take a wife in her virginity.
14 ‘A widow, or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry, these he may not take; but rather he is to marry a virgin of his own people,
15 so that he will not profane his offspring among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’"

The Lord Jesus is our "great high priest." And the church is considered His bride. Yet we constantly turn aside to other lovers, and were anything BUT virgins when He chose us.

Yet He creates that IN us, even though it's not there to begin with!

Trinka

well that's done

Ordered the car yesterday, and it may be here by this weekend. Yikes!

The p.m., pessimistic Trinka was in a bit of a flurry last night. But really ... so much of the p.m. Trinka's thinking is motivated by fear (as opposed to prudence). I told her she gets to clamp down as tight as she wants on the budget for the next few years, and she felt LOTS better. :)

Got to the gym last night, and (though I'm hesitant to say it too loudly) it appears that I've reversed the gaining-weight trend. The last 3 days or so, the numbers have turned the other direction. Whew! I was starting to get concerned. Just gotta keep a closer watch on those calories.

My siser-in-law has been running - I'm so proud of her! I've done little bits here & there to give some variety to my walks, but I think she's inspiring me (especially now that the weather's turning cooler). They're taking my little niece also, and at 2, she's learning to love exercise. What a wonderful way to start out in life. I devloped an early passion for books that I wouldn't trade for anything ... but I do wish it was matched by a passion for physical activity.

I've been reading in 1 Peter as I prepare for the ladies' Bible study, and 1:13 has been on my mind. It talks about girding your mind ... grabbing hold of your thoughts, and putting them where they ought to be. It's such a good reminder. When we control our thinking, our actions, feelings, attitudes and reactions all follow along behind.

Along the same idea, 2 Corinthians 10:5:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Read this today (my apologies for the weird line breaks ... don't know how to fix it!) :

You've got to admit, some of our hearts are trashed out. Let any riffraff
knock on the door, and we throw it open. Anger shows up, and we let him in.
Revenge needs a place to stay, so we have him pull up a chair. Pity wants to
have a party, so we show him the kitchen. Lust rings the bell, and we change
the sheets on the bed. Don't we know how to say no?

Many don't. For most of us, thought management is, well, unthought of.
We think much about time management, weight management, personnnel management, even scalp management. But what about thougth maangement? Shouldn't we be as concerned about managing our thoughts as we are managing anything else?

Jesus was. Like a trained soldier at the gate of a city, he stood watch over his mind. He stubbornly guarded the gateway of his heart ...

If He did, shouldn't we ...?

Grace for the Moment, pg. 290, Max Lucado

Well, vacation starts tomorrow. I may still post occasionally - McDonalds, across the street from my place, has wireless now. :)

Trinka

the vacation cometh

Looking forward to a few days off over this weekend - I'm taking off Thursday - Tuesday. Planning on some home-improvement projects, and having a few people over for brunch one day.

Saturday our local roller rink had free skating in the afternoon. I went with a family from church, and had a ball! It's the kind of thing I don't think to do on my own, but really enjoyed it. Though I do wish people would get the idea of the "new skaters on the outside" thing. It seems like I was always fighting to avoid squishing some poor little one who'd fallen in front of me!

Also got in a walk Saturday, and another Sunday. And moved furniture on top of that. I tried switching where my dining room and office were - I kinda like it because now I can look out the slider from my desk. When the days start to get shorter, I want to capture as much light as I can.

I've been reading in 1 Peter, preparing for tonight's ladies' Bible study.

One of the fellows I read had some great thoughts on the idea of election/free will - very balanced, which I like!

Haven't heard back from the Saturn salesman. I'm thinking that most salespeople prefer phone or face to face. I, on the other hand, am VERY fond of e-mail. :) That's OK ... it gives me more time to think.

This car issue definately proves to me that I have two distinct personalities - one a.m. and one p.m.

In the morning, I'm optimistic and liberal - "sure I want to buy that car. The money will work out. It will be great!"

At night, I'm pessimistic and conservative - "nope ... too much money ... make do with what you've got. don't risk it!"

Now, if I can just decide which time of day to MAKE the decision, I'll do well!

Trinka

no reading ... no exercise .... but Thai food was great

Well, I did get to the gym Thursday, but yesterday? Not so much. :) After work I went with T. to run errands, test drive an Ion, and then out for Thai food. (If I was ever to actually pursue cooking with any dilligence, I'd love to learn to make Thai food.)

I loved the car. A fellow from church had brought out an Aveo for me to try yesterday morning. And I liked it. But the Ion? Definately loved it. :) However, the price was a bit steeper than I'd been led to believe (the .9% financing wasn't available on 2006 models, and the 2005s were gone.)

So, the car purchase is likely postponed for a while, unless the salesman's able to combine some discounts for me. (I'm eligible for more than one, and I doubt they can be used together ... but you never know!) I sent him an e-mail this morning asking about it, so we'll see. (the dragonfly green color I loved so much on the 2005s has transitioned to a cypress green that I like even better. I do love it when I can get a car in a non-flashy color other than white, black or grey).

As far as reading, ok ... "none" is a bit extreme. But not much. I was looking at 1 Peter, and thinking about the idea of "resting our hope fully on grace."

There are so many other things on which I'm tempted to rest my hope. But all those things are eventually going to fail me. But God's grace is secure, and I can trust it forever.

Trinka

leprousy

Lately, I've been reading in the sections of the Old Testament where it dealt with all the rules and restrictinos that they had to impose on people with leaprosy.

From a practical, protect-everyone-from-germs standpoint, I know these rules had a purpose. But it's also a picture of sin ... and the grievous implications of even a small transgression! Even the tiniest spot of leaprosy required drastic action. Yet, when it completely covered the person's body, they could be considered clean! Sin is such a serious business that even a tiny bit condemns us ... yet it's when we realize that we're altogether sinful that we find hope for healing ... by trusting in Christ's deliverance instead of our own.

From John Newton's Olney Hymnal:


Oft as the leper's case I read,
My own described I feel;
Sin is a leprosy indeed,
Which none but Christ can heal.

2. Awhile I would have passed for well,
And strove my spots to hide;
Till it broke out incurable,
Too plain to be denied.

3. Then from the saints I sought to flee,
And dreaded to be seen;
I thought they all would point at me,
And cry, Unclean, unclean!

4. What anguish did my soul endure,
Till hope and patience ceased?
The more I strove myself to cure,
The more the plague increased.

5. While thus I lay distressed, I saw
The Savior passing by;
To him, though filled with shame and awe,
I raised my mournful cry.

6. Lord, thou canst heal me if thou wilt,
For thou canst all things do;
O cleanse my leprous soul from guilt,
My filthy heart renew!

7. He heard, and with a gracious look,
Pronounced the healing word;
I will, be clean - and while he spoke
I felt my health restored.

8. Come lepers, seize the present hour,
The Saviour's grace to prove;
He can relieve, for he is pow'r,
He will, for he is love.

Exercise-wise ... I got to the gym last night and lifted weights, and am REALLY feeling the results today. I'm feeling a bit let down at how much work I'm putting into this whole enterprise, and how little results I'm seeing.

However, I did notice last night that the pretty, skinny girls are almost universally lifting 2 to 3x LESS weight than I am.

Wow.

I'm quite shocked, actually.

I might never be tiny ... but at least I'll be able to open my own peanut-butter jars. :)

Trinka

some new pavement to ride on

Just noticed that they're putting in a sidewalk along the busy road I use to get to work. Methinks my bike tires will zip along nicely there!

Yes ... I know ... "bicycles should ride on the road."

So ... from henceforth, sidewalks along busy roads will be known as "bike paths."

There. Doesn't that feel better? :)

I know I'LL feel LOTS better when the cement is dry, and I can use it!

Got in a nice walk and a swim last night. The pool is closing for winter today, so it was a treat to have a warm night, with a beautiful half-moon to swim in yesterday. The boisterous types didn't leave the pool until 8:30, but once they did, it was lovely!

I'm working on the 1 Peter study for tonight. The ladies haven't gotten their books yet, so they aren't ready to look at the first chapter, so I think I'll do a short devotional on Peter. I've been thinking about his influence on Mark's life ... how one who knows failure up close & personal can be an encouragement to another who's experiencing it!

Here's a poem from the Olney Hymnal, written by John Newton (the man who wrote Amazing Grace)

When Peter boasted, soon he fell,
Yet was by grace restored;
His case should be regarded well
By all who fear the Lord.

A voice it has, and helping hand,
Backsliders to recall;
And cautions those who think they stand,
Lest suddenly they fall.

He said, “Whatever others do,
With Jesus I’ll abide;”
Yet soon amidst a murd’rous crew
His suff’ring Lord denied.

He who had been so bold before,
Now trembled like a leaf;
Not only lied, but cursed and swore,
To gain the more belief.

While he blasphemed he heard the cock,
And Jesus looked in love;
At once, as if by lightning struck,
His tongue forbore to move.

Delivered thus from Satan’s snare
He starts, as from a sleep;
His Savior’s look he could not bear,
But hasted forth to weep.

But sure the faithful cock had crowed
A hundred times in vain;
Had not the Lord that look bestowed,
The meaning to explain.

As I, like Peter, vows have made,
Yet acted Peter’s part;
So conscience, like the cock, upbraids
My base, ungrateful heart.

Lord Jesus, hear a sinner’s cry,
My broken peace renew;
And grant one pitying look, that I
May weep with Peter too.

Labor Day weekend

Well ... I'm home and have my desk cleared off to the point where I can make a quick post!

I spent the long weekend in eastern Pennsylvania at my dad & step-mom's house with my brother, sister-in-law, and two sweet nieces.

I would post pictures of them (I did come home with 288 ... almost qualifying myself for honorary grandparent status). :) But, since creepy stuff still happens online, posting pictures of cute children feels not-so-good ... so instead I'll put one up of the lovely view off the deck. Coming from Michigan, being able to see hills is a constant wonder to me. :)

As is typical of vacations, I ate more than I should, and exercised less than I should. But I'm back on the bandwagon yesterday and today.

I've been reading in 1 Peter, in preparation for the study that begins Monday. I was talking with a friend last night, and enjoying thinking about the author of the book. The last thing the Lord said to Peter before the cross was "put down your sword." And His last words to him after the cross were, "feed my sheep."

We sure see that in this book! Peter writes from the perspective of humility and gentleness, seeking to shepherd the sheep God had given him. It's so easy for me to pick up the sword, instead of feeding sheep! I apprecited, too, the exhortations in the book to hospitality and loving the brethren ... much more conducive to sheep-feeding than sword-wielding!

Sat next to a lady from P.E.T.A. at the Philadelphia airport. Fascinating, really, to talk to someone from the extreme opposite political position!

Thankful I wasn't wearing a leather coat ...
Trinka

better day ...

Had a good, long walk yesterday (with gas at $3.39, I chose not to drive the 15 miles to the gym!).

Then had a great visit with T., whose job involves managing actual people (I just have to get all the "stuff" where it needs to be, and when). She's a help to me with dealing with difficult folks!

This morning, got to give a reference for a friend for a job she's applied for. I just LOVE giving references. :)

OK - off to find a long weekend. See you next week!

Trinka

terrible, awful, really-bad day

one of those days that you just want to unplug the phone and go hide in a closet with a bag of chocolate, and sneak out only when promised a long neck massage.

However, neither chocolates nor the neck massage is going to happen, so I'd better pull myself together.

We had a tragic accident happen last Tuesday involving one of our families. Some are hospitalized, and one is with the Lord, and the funeral will be next Tuesday.

Which, coincidentally, is the last day of the long weekend when I've planned to be away at my dad's.

I have a substitute working for me that day.

But she doesn't want to miss the funeral.

My job is being a support person, filling in the gaps behind the scenes during things like funerals.

Feeling so frustrated, and irritated, and just wanting to bag it, and stay here so things are done right, but at the same time, there are those already-paid-for plane tickets.

tired, tired, tired!!!!

no exercise yesterday ... crises-related phone calls all day, afternoon & evening, then prayer meeting. Maybe no exercise today, if I can talk T. into a Taco Bell and a nice long visit. She's practical, used to dealing with difficult people, and will help me get my attitude back into a more spiritual condition.

me