Brian is looking over my shoulder with - "What are you going to write?" Nothing like pressure! Right now we are at the airport waiting for our flight - it's family time! I have to say after so many years of traveling alone it's great to have a partner. :) He left now to give me some space and to go get me a coffee! His idea!! After all, it is Time for Coffee.
When we return our bedroom and bathroom will be painted! I'm soooo excited. Even though we picked the colors I still can't imagine what it will really be like - hopefully wonderful! We picked the colors a year ago. I trust we will still enjoy the look. I will be doing the upstairs hallway this summer at some point, but the deck comes first. California evenings are wonderful so we want to be able to enjoy them outside by ourselves or with friends. (He's back with my coffee!!) :D
Well now the time for boarding has started so I'm going to wrap up this incredibly long and earthshaking discourse. But I'll be back and just so you know - the coffee is rejuvenating.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Gatherings
Heading into a few weeks of more concentrated family time, both sides. We had dinner last night with my brother and his wife, very enjoyable and relaxing. Brian made his smoked salmon which is always a hit but a special favorite of my brother's. Of course for dessert I slaved away over a fruit tart that we got at Safeway! It was a big hit, too!! :)
In a little bit we'll be having other gatherings as the 4th gets closer. Both our mothers, I think (I hope!), are looking forward to time together, as we are. Holidays are a great way to make specific, special plans to get together. Otherwise, it can be difficult to coordinate everyone, find the time in the daily crunch. Knowing everyone, I'm fairly confident that the only fireworks that will be set off are those intentionally lit by a match!
In reference to my "New Read", I finished the book, truly enjoyed it. One of those books you don't really want to come to an end, at least for me. But the authors had made their point and brought it to a close.
In a little bit we'll be having other gatherings as the 4th gets closer. Both our mothers, I think (I hope!), are looking forward to time together, as we are. Holidays are a great way to make specific, special plans to get together. Otherwise, it can be difficult to coordinate everyone, find the time in the daily crunch. Knowing everyone, I'm fairly confident that the only fireworks that will be set off are those intentionally lit by a match!
In reference to my "New Read", I finished the book, truly enjoyed it. One of those books you don't really want to come to an end, at least for me. But the authors had made their point and brought it to a close.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Smiles
I seem to be pushing my time limit of a week - again! Do I have anything to say? Sometimes I wonder.
Life is grand; I can tell you that much. Is everything perfect? Oh no, not really. There are financial setbacks, frustrations and sometimes a seeming lack. But do I really lack anything? A resounding NO! Does life go as "planned"? Hmmm, well not always according to my plan! :)
Although as I get older (and wiser?), I'm more at peace. Life seems a bit simpler as I recognize the elements of life which are of greater importance. Being obsessed with me is not one of those things. That revelation I think is a life long process. The tendrils of "it's all about me" run deep and are intertwined with so many thoughts, attitudes and aspects of my life. I do enjoy cutting them off because it's so freeing. I thank God for helping me see better and the courage to rid myself of those encumbrances. He is good, has an awesome plan and takes such good care of me. (I'm smiling!)
Life is grand; I can tell you that much. Is everything perfect? Oh no, not really. There are financial setbacks, frustrations and sometimes a seeming lack. But do I really lack anything? A resounding NO! Does life go as "planned"? Hmmm, well not always according to my plan! :)
Although as I get older (and wiser?), I'm more at peace. Life seems a bit simpler as I recognize the elements of life which are of greater importance. Being obsessed with me is not one of those things. That revelation I think is a life long process. The tendrils of "it's all about me" run deep and are intertwined with so many thoughts, attitudes and aspects of my life. I do enjoy cutting them off because it's so freeing. I thank God for helping me see better and the courage to rid myself of those encumbrances. He is good, has an awesome plan and takes such good care of me. (I'm smiling!)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Way Too Much Responsibility
To be a responsible person is commendable trait. I wouldn't put myself in the excessive category but I sure can get things twisted, especially in my relationship with God.
Periodically God reminds me of how I have subtly moved the responsibility of my relationship with Him until it's totally upside down. I fool myself and I don't even realize the roles have reversed. How do I want to be? Dependent on Him, becoming more like HIm, being more fully who I was created to be and available to Him. Too often I find myself doing all the 'work'. I make it about my work - legalism. "We are not changed by the promises we make to God, but by the promises he makes to us."
Periodically God reminds me of how I have subtly moved the responsibility of my relationship with Him until it's totally upside down. I fool myself and I don't even realize the roles have reversed. How do I want to be? Dependent on Him, becoming more like HIm, being more fully who I was created to be and available to Him. Too often I find myself doing all the 'work'. I make it about my work - legalism. "We are not changed by the promises we make to God, but by the promises he makes to us."
Monday, June 14, 2010
A New Read
It's been awhile - a long week for me. Not feeling all that well, but I won't go into that here!
So I'm reading a book that was handed to me out of the blue. The topic was not out of line for my recent journey in life, however. What is the title, you ask? So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore. It's actually a fictional book which surprised me a bit. There are other books on different movements, I.e. house churches but it's not a discourse on that or how to start the next movement! Rather, it's one man's fictitious journey of learning how to live a life really walking with God regardless of institutions, the next movement or playing the game of man's approval. I'm not finished yet but want to keep reading it all the time. The trouble is I can't because there is so much to take in that I can't process it fast enough to just continue reading. So far it's very intriguing and eye-opening. Although not new (written in 2006) I'd never heard of it and I'm a little surprised. It brings some very interesting points to light and others, which supposedly I already know, are presented from a new perspective, starting new pathways of thought. I appreciate the challenge to old ways of thinking and the status quo.
I'm curious to see how i will feel at the end of the story and where God will lead me.
So I'm reading a book that was handed to me out of the blue. The topic was not out of line for my recent journey in life, however. What is the title, you ask? So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore. It's actually a fictional book which surprised me a bit. There are other books on different movements, I.e. house churches but it's not a discourse on that or how to start the next movement! Rather, it's one man's fictitious journey of learning how to live a life really walking with God regardless of institutions, the next movement or playing the game of man's approval. I'm not finished yet but want to keep reading it all the time. The trouble is I can't because there is so much to take in that I can't process it fast enough to just continue reading. So far it's very intriguing and eye-opening. Although not new (written in 2006) I'd never heard of it and I'm a little surprised. It brings some very interesting points to light and others, which supposedly I already know, are presented from a new perspective, starting new pathways of thought. I appreciate the challenge to old ways of thinking and the status quo.
I'm curious to see how i will feel at the end of the story and where God will lead me.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Creativity vs. The Mundane
,It sounds like a boxing match! If it were, I'd imagine creativity as that sublime movement of grace that packs power. It's almost like it happens in slow motion as people are awed by the simultaneous beauty and raw power. Even if boxing can be distasteful to you (certainly to me) the artistry of those kind of movements cannot be denied. Whereas, the mundane is the brutal, relentless pounding that beats the opponent into submission. There is no finesse, only muscle bound prowess that needs admiration.
A friend of mine told me that if creativity didn't take effort it would just be mundane. (This came up because I was complaining that creativity took so much effort!) The mundane for me are things like laundry, going over the budget, cleaning and food prep. All very important endeavors, necessary even, but not thrilling or fulfilling on a soul level. Often they are something to power through and too often they get the best of me. I'm beat afterwards. There's nothing left to give in the creative arena. However, that is not my whole life. That may be one or two days of my week - being too tired for anything else, but I state now that I want to move through to the sublime. How does that work? How often will that happen? I pray for God's agenda through my days and the courage to make the effort!
A friend of mine told me that if creativity didn't take effort it would just be mundane. (This came up because I was complaining that creativity took so much effort!) The mundane for me are things like laundry, going over the budget, cleaning and food prep. All very important endeavors, necessary even, but not thrilling or fulfilling on a soul level. Often they are something to power through and too often they get the best of me. I'm beat afterwards. There's nothing left to give in the creative arena. However, that is not my whole life. That may be one or two days of my week - being too tired for anything else, but I state now that I want to move through to the sublime. How does that work? How often will that happen? I pray for God's agenda through my days and the courage to make the effort!
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Creativity
Creativity is a process, a stress reducer, and by in large very rewarding. My question is - why does it seem to take so much effort, too much of the time, to get into the process? Sometimes, it seems like it produces more stress to get to the point of beginning to relieve it! Perhaps I'm just out of the habit? Concentrated effort isn't a bad endeavor!
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Simple Life
At the moment, my life is very simple! No complaints. :) Yet there is still something I want to do; I just don't know what it is. Have you ever had that feeling of longing/ache/excitement when you hear of someone else starting up something they've always wanted to do, or following a dream? That feeling doesn't always strike me because those things can happen fairly regularly. But it happened to me listening to Ellen Degeneres when she said she had started a record label. That does not appeal to me in the least! And yet, the feeling struck me. She's already doing so many things but somehow this was different. I'm not doing so many things, nor am I a celebrity! However, my goal is not to do a lot but rather something purposeful, fun and made just for me!!
I've been a business woman (architect), a missionary (although they say once a missionary always a missionary), worked for a business and started a business. What's next? Now I'm in this semi-retired position which I love. I'm flexible, able to go on trips when money allows, meet with people and relax. Of course I thought some of this relaxing time would be spent writing, drawing and/or photographing. I'm not doing much of any of that! Hmmm. Am I lazy? i probably need more of a routine. All of those things are still very exciting to me. What's wrong? Or is anything really wrong - maybe I just need to make different choices through the day.
I've been a business woman (architect), a missionary (although they say once a missionary always a missionary), worked for a business and started a business. What's next? Now I'm in this semi-retired position which I love. I'm flexible, able to go on trips when money allows, meet with people and relax. Of course I thought some of this relaxing time would be spent writing, drawing and/or photographing. I'm not doing much of any of that! Hmmm. Am I lazy? i probably need more of a routine. All of those things are still very exciting to me. What's wrong? Or is anything really wrong - maybe I just need to make different choices through the day.
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