Wednesday!

Bethany wrote:Is the forum looking and acting funky for any of you?

Yup. I just posted it in the announcements thread or whatever the hell it's called

Just got an email chock full of pictures from the childrens home in India that Washington Project bought clothes for a month or so ago. So amazing to see the kids in clothes we picked out ourselves!
They also snapped a pic of the kids laying hands on the boxes and praying for the people that picked out the clothes, our church and Washington Project.
What a boost to my day!

I saw the pics on Twitter, TB.
That's so great!

Blessings beget blessings!

Bethany wrote:Just got an email chock full of pictures from the childrens home in India that Washington Project bought clothes for a month or so ago. So amazing to see the kids in clothes we picked out ourselves!
They also snapped a pic of the kids laying hands on the boxes and praying for the people that picked out the clothes, our church and Washington Project.
What a boost to my day!

That brought tears to my eyes, Bethany. Beautiful!!

Yesterday was really, really difficult. Major issues arose with co-workers at work and I felt challenged for and not supported in doing the right thing. I believe this is most definitely attack.

I defended myself, but more importantly, I find that the Lord has been faithful and near me through this whole thing. He has encouraged me at every turn and has given me the words to say. I have been following where he leads and will continue to do so. If the opportunity arises, I am going to call out some of the things I am seeing going on in this latest drama.

Sheesh! I am tempted to say I can't wait for it all to be over, but really, I want to learn what I can from it and be transformed in whatever way is most pleasing to God. I haven't done anything wrong and feel the need to explain myself, but only if I am given the opportunity to. So, we shall see.

Hoping today brings resolution, and better feelings than yesterday!

Mel that is so hard and wonderful all at the same time!

Today is Sharen's birthday! I think we're going to Red Robin for dinner for her bday but that's about it. I'm really sore from the gym last night and just want to curl up in the fetal position and die

A former ministry associate of mine recently wrote this brief article for the religion page of a CT newspaper. It may encourage you.

An Encouraging Word about Our Frailties

by Drew Crandall

Isn't it amazing how rapidly our lives can change? In a moment's notice, we can be emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, or spiritually devastated. For example, you go to work, and are laid off. You drive down the street, and get into an accident. You go to your annual physical, and learn that you have a major health issue. You walk down the stairs at home, accidentally trip and fall. You make financial investments, and they suddenly lose much or all of their value. You loan someone money, and he or she rips you off. You unexpectedly become a victim of crime. A friend or relative whom you trusted insults, abuses, or betrays you. Someone close to you is seriously hurt or dies.

This list is endless.

The stark reality is that human existence here in Connecticut and beyond is complex and incredibly fragile. Because we do not know what each day will bring, we must not allow the past or the future to distract and hinder us from enjoying the "precious present."

I was recently invited to be a guest of honor at the annual Bridgeport Hospital Neonatal Unit ICU Reunion, because I am one of the Hospital's "Miracle Babies" from the mid-1950s. It is a remarkable story. Neither my Mom nor I should have survived, or if I did survive, I should have been severely handicapped. By God's grace and against all odds, I have lived a normal, healthy life for 55 years. This Reunion consists of several hundred toddlers, young children and their parents. Hospital officials told me I was the oldest alumnus who has ever participated, and that I brought a unique, long-term perspective on the value of the ICU and to the awesome potential of these young lives, no matter how difficult their beginnings.

People often ask why I am so enthusiastic, energetic, and strong in my faith. I believe part of the answer is that, deep inside since the womb and my early childhood, I've had a strong sense that I am on borrowed time, that I don't want to waste my life, that every day is a gift, and that I'm here for a purpose.

If you are struggling today and need a little encouragement, remember that as fragile and vulnerable as you are, every day is still a gift. Your life can also rapidly change in good ways. You need not live your life consumed by fear, worry, doubt, pain, and bitterness. I invite you to contact me for a free copy of "Enthusiasm Makes a BIG Difference," a handout I've prepared based on the writings of the late Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, Scripture, and some of my original commentary.

so, bart drinks out of the toilet... i know, it's a bit gross... anyway... he won't do it if anyone is in there... like if i'm in there doing my h air or something, he won't come in.... so, he sits in the open door way and just looks up at me with big ol puppy dog eyes... in other words, I got kicked out of the bathroom this morning and had to do part of my make up in the hallway

meether369 wrote:Yesterday was really, really difficult. Major issues arose with co-workers at work and I felt challenged for and not supported in doing the right thing. I believe this is most definitely attack.

I defended myself, but more importantly, I find that the Lord has been faithful and near me through this whole thing. He has encouraged me at every turn and has given me the words to say. I have been following where he leads and will continue to do so. If the opportunity arises, I am going to call out some of the things I am seeing going on in this latest drama.

Sheesh! I am tempted to say I can't wait for it all to be over, but really, I want to learn what I can from it and be transformed in whatever way is most pleasing to God. I haven't done anything wrong and feel the need to explain myself, but only if I am given the opportunity to. So, we shall see.

Hoping today brings resolution, and better feelings than yesterday!

If Jesus gives us a task or assigns us to a difficult season, every ounce of our experience is meant for our instruction and completion if only we’ll let Him finish the work. I fear, however, that we are so attention-deficit that we settle for bearable when beauty is just around the corner.

Beth Moore

That's excellent! Thanks, Katy.
I'm going to print that out and put it on my bulletin board.

I bet Bart will be excited about that...

oh wait... you meant the quote.

No - I'd never hang Bart on my bulletin board.

That's great, Katy. Thank you. I am trying to remain in the fully-attentive range--looking for that beauty!!

No drama today, but no opportunity to address things, either. So, in some ways it was a good day.

We have 3 more sessions of pre-k, and then school is done for the year....it has gone really fast.

I have to work all day today and take a cpr class tonight. It's going to be a long day.

Work then working out. Then I'm heading to a friends house to play some Settler of Catan and eat dinner. Should be a lot of fun

I have a funeral luncheon to deliver in an hour, then lunch with the parents (if my swollen throat goes down before then), then home to do some laundry and then off to work I go for the night.

Just talked to my dad, he got tested this morning for whopping cough, the doctor said it's only dangerous in a child, there have been 6 reported cases in the local school. It's weird this stuff is coming back.

Stephanie had whooping cough a few years back and I heard of a few other friends of friends who have had it. It's crazy to me that it's making a comeback!

Pete, please take it easy and don't push yourself like crazy so you can start getting better mmmkay?
Love, Mom

I'll do my best mom.

I do really need to rest a bit more, but knowing that, and doing that are two totally different things!

Gonna surf the sofa before lunch and maybe catch a nap.

Well, there is a vaccine for whooping cough... and I think now that parents are more and more deciding not to get their kids vaccinated, these things are going to start going around again. Also, I think vaccines only last so long, so its possible to get it even if you've had a vaccine. Of course, in this day in age, it's probably not as dangerous with all the medical advances and drugs and such as it used to be... so its probably easier to treat then it used to be, so a vaccine might not be necessary. umm... yeah... so that was my long answer to... kids probably don't get vaccinated as much for it anymore.

My head hurts... I'm tired. I don't wanna be here. Two weeks till vacation.

5 weeks until I come see yoU!

Bethany wrote:5 weeks until I come see yoU!

yay! please don't bring the whooping cough with you. Also, please be prepared in case I have another 3 weeks of pms. You may have to make sure coffee and snacks are always readily available.

I'm ok with that, just don't expect me to make the coffee, it will suck

Bethany wrote:I'm ok with that, just don't expect me to make the coffee, it will suck

I live in portland... there is a coffee place on every corner.

they gave my dad a type of tetnus shot that is used to treat whooping cough, but I agree less kids are getting vaccinated.

I got a call earlier from the appraiser that's coming tomorrow to appraise the business assets and said he got a call today telling him how unhappy I am with the real estate appraisal and asked how he could help. He's a great guy and wants to sit down with me tomorrow when we meet and go through it because he said it sounded a bit low even for the economy and wants to help me in someway. I feel better now.

Yay!
Who called him though?