Friday, May 05, 2006

THIS link should work. There are some fun things here and some not so fun things....surfer beware.

I took the quiz again and this time I'm Root Beer.

OK took this because it was on Bre's blog and I'm not wanting to do anything today...this is funny as I HATE Mountain Dew and LOVE Dr. P.

You Are Coke

A true original and classic, you represent the best of everything you can offer.Just the right amount of sweet, just the right amount of energy... you're the life of the party.
Your best soda match: Mountain Dew
Stay away from:Dr Pepper
What Kind of Soda Are You?
:::snort:::

OK so I only am .2 of a mile from 50 miles...guess I better brush up on my elementary math....I could ride to the end of my block in the a.m. and be done....I suppose I can take the little ones on tomorrow's bike ride if I don't have to do more than 1/2 a mile. LOL
Random Friday a.m. Thoughts

10.3 miles….I thought yesterday was Friday and was bummed I’d have to ride 13 miles on Saturday but it was only Thursday…so only 3 miles or so for tomorrow to make the 50 mile a week mini-goal. {G}

When a German shepherd stalks you; you discover you CAN go a bit faster and a bit further after all! {bg}

We began studying “Lord, Teach me to Pray” by Kay Arthur at PWOC this week. I’m leading – which means I’d better do the homework – ya think? I’m really enjoying this study. It’s not labor intensive…but it could very well be life changing – I’ll let you know in a few weeks. It’s only 4 weeks long. It’s FULL of practical applications. Today, before biking, I read, studied and meditated on what it meant to address God as “Our Father who art in heaven”. We also looked at Heb 11 and the necessity to have faith to believe that He IS….I finished up and headed out the door still considering how God is like a Father.

I think I had an insight while riding. It may not have been because sometimes ridiculous things seem perfectly profound when you are oxygen deprived and burning…. I have been pedaling and praying. Eventually, I found myself at the top of the “roller coaster” hill again. My praying stopped and I gave myself totally to the exhilaration of racing down the hill. I even opened my mouth and almost let out a big whoop. At the bottom I said “Oops – I was talking to you” and then clearly heard in my heart “it’s OK to play”. Well OF COURSE it’s o.k. to play. I play at the park. I play games with the kids. I make time every day to play with the kids. I play with Mike. Of course it’s o.k. BUT then I realized…that I have a very strong sense of responsibility. I find it hard to play for ME. I have to make myself play monopoly and go to the park…because it’s important for the kids that I play with them…but that’s not really playing just to play for ME. Riding down that hill IS….it benefits NO one….it accomplishes NOTHING…it’s simply FUN…it gives me pleasure…..instantly my mind flashed to a scene around 15 years ago. We were living in Portland, OR and had a 2 yo boy, 3 yo girl and 5 yo girl. We were all out in our yard on a summer evening. The kids were having a grand water fight. Poor Krista was smack in the middle and getting from both her brother and her big sister. Mike watched in pure delight as she noticed the hose with the gun nozzle still attached. She toddled over, grabbed the hose and turned it full blast on Bre and Cy. As she hosed them she screamed with the joy of her come back and Mike roared with delight. He took such unmitigated pleasure in watching his children play. God, MY Father, takes pleasure and delight in watching me enjoy the blessings He has provided. It’s o.k. to play. {I realize for many in our society the have missed the work ethic and play all the time..But I’m betting I’m not the only Christian Mom who needs to know it’s o.k. to play once in a while….in case some without a strong sense of responsibility are reading….open Bible and see what it has to say about work and then get to it! ::snort:::} In fact, I now realize that I was so busy in AK that there was no time for me to have the friendships that I so desired. We pray every assignment for at least one family friend that will last a life-time and God has been faithful….but I was to busy to really enjoy deep relationships or PLAY in AK…..

As for the rest of yesterday…my phone rang like an instrument possessed. Bre called and brought home to me that Mom is always needed. My Mom rang in with the news of my Dad’s accident. My sister-in-law rang in to share concern over Dad. Mike called in the a.m. with things he needed to do – and that superseded my plans for school. We had speech. I made over 3 gal of spaghetti sauce. We had friends over for dinner. Mike got home very late from work. I worked on plans for PWOC Traveling Training...which we are hosting.

We’re having friends over again tonight…yippee! We saw Brenda and her family again on vacation and now she and one of her daughters will be up for the night. Sally shoots and there is a shooting club up here having their first “shoot” and so they are driving up for it. I’m looking forward to visiting some more with Brenda. Brenda’s family is our “one lifetime friend” from our assignment in San Antonio 7 years ago.

Today I really must work on a SAGE newsletter – our next order date is the 12th…..we have lots of new members and making that min order for the truck is no problem at all. I also need to get some more apples drying, do school, work on a few more details for PWOC, answer some emails, pay bills and we’ll see what else the day brings….
My Mother and Father retired about 5 years ago from missions. They are currently 65 years old and working full time to make ends meet.

Dad was climbing a ladder to fix a light on the semi-truck he drives yesterday and fell. He had surgery last night. He broke his hip, shattered the femur and some socket or joint where the leg connects to the hip. He was still in recovery last night at bed time.

Please pray for Dad's recovery. This will most likely mean much time off work so prayers for their finances are appreciated. With injuries of this kind there may be lasting pain and limitations and Dad may not be able to go back to work so please pray for them to have courage and wisdom as they face what the near future holds. They may well need to do some downsizing (and they already live very simply). The doctor is talking to Mom about the possibility for him to have to go live at a "rehab unit" as she won't be able to care for him.

God is sovereign. Please pray that my parents are able to discern all the "good" that God means to bring from this situation.

Thanks.