Technology is an amazing ever-changing thing! It intrigues me: the fact that I can type on my computer, in the warmth of my own kitchen, and chat with someone on the other side of the planet!
With my phone, I can send and receive text messages from my kids, both the ones in town, and the one far away in Florida.
We recently changed our TV from cable to dish...what ever that is and how ever that works!
Thankfully, I know very little about it! In fact, one recent night, I ventured over, and took possession of the tv remote! Yes, the really bulky one with all the colorful buttons on it!--The new one!
My generous husband had showed me just enough of the 'navigation buttons' to get me to the channels that I most generally watch.
I didn't feel good about venturing too far away from those...and then it happened: my finger slipped, and I found myself discovering all kinds of different channels, and options! I was feeling pretty good about this until:
It REALLY happened: snow. --You know, black & white dots all over the screen and NO sound except static?
I haven't seen 'snow' on a tv screen since, when we were kids--my little sister & I, would get up before tv programming started on Saturday mornings and watch the 'test patterns' until the cartoons would come on. I have NOT a clue what I did...but even the twins couldn't 'fix' it!
Of course, Randy fixed it when he got home...so it was all ok...I still don't know how to 'work it all'...but it is really ok with me!
And, so, technology, for the most part remains a mystery to me...and I'm good with that! I love the option of texting, or talking on my cell phone. I love working on my computer at home, and sending it in cyberspace to the printer at the office! Our girls 'blue tooth' a lot of things...I know this is probably a great tool for certain aspects of life, I just haven't found the aspect of MY life that blue tooth 'fits' in to, yet!
Today, though, I was reminded of how dangerous technology can be to us. We are humans. As humans we have needs to connect with each other. That's one of the reasons we get married and have kids. Communicating, relaxing together, sharing life, laughing together...encouraging each other!
I happen to think married couples should talk to each other. In person or on the phone, but with real words and expressions. I am in danger here of getting on a soap box about the frustrations of dating in the 2000's with all the technology available...so I will stop this now!
Lack of communication is one of the leading causes for the break down of relationships....(insert teen agers with ear buds in and parents absorbed in what ever and you have a recipe for kids not getting along with their parents!)
Anyway, back to my thought for today...I recently saw a married couple sitting across from each other in a nice restaurant waiting for their meal to arrive...each with cell phone in hand, completely absorbed in what ever was on their screen. Were they texting each other? Or, were they playing video games? Or, were they checking messages? I just wanted to stop by the table and say: no cell phones at meal time...talk --TALK--SPEAK WITH WORDS--to EACH OTHER....
And, yet, here I sit typing away in to this machine...and my husband is sitting right beside me...I'm going to stop typing now, and talk to him! I love him too much to ignore the fact that real-LIVE conversation time is precious!
I'll write more later!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Beyond Measure!
Snow today: Beyond Measuring!
Snow Days. You have GOT to love them!
Yesterday was actually a scheduled day off from school for the girls. I had intended to be at the office, but I was able to do a lot of my 'work' here at the house before the girls even woke up! The girls and I did a lot of things around the house, cooked some, sang some, played some and talked a lot!
As things look right now in my world, the next eight weeks, or so are going to be packed with all kinds of opportunities for me to completely lean on God's strength for the day. And, many opportunities to listen as He places in my day the things that HE intends me to do!
For most people, the tendency is to just pack 'one more thing' in to the day...but I'm trying really hard just to do the 'next thing'...there's a difference. The next 'things' on my 'Spring 2010 List' includes, to name a few:
Snow Days. You have GOT to love them!
Yesterday was actually a scheduled day off from school for the girls. I had intended to be at the office, but I was able to do a lot of my 'work' here at the house before the girls even woke up! The girls and I did a lot of things around the house, cooked some, sang some, played some and talked a lot!
As things look right now in my world, the next eight weeks, or so are going to be packed with all kinds of opportunities for me to completely lean on God's strength for the day. And, many opportunities to listen as He places in my day the things that HE intends me to do!
For most people, the tendency is to just pack 'one more thing' in to the day...but I'm trying really hard just to do the 'next thing'...there's a difference. The next 'things' on my 'Spring 2010 List' includes, to name a few:
- Teaching a Bible Study on Monday afternoons from the book of Hebrews
- Participating in and sometimes speaking for our Ladies' Monday Night Bible Study at ESCC (we're talking about steps for Spiritual Growth on Monday nights--I can talk more about that later!)
- Mentoring a 5th grade girl at our local elementary school on Tuesdays
- Leading Wednesday morning Bible study for a delightful group of ladies (8-10) that cannot make it on Monday nights--they pre-view the Monday night study...sweet for everyone concerned, actually!
- A new session of GriefShare started 2 weeks ago...this session is a smaller group...so the conversations are good
- Sundays will find me attending worship at our church...teaching the women's Sunday school class, Daughter's of the King...and then pretty quick after lunch, heading to a 'Great Banquet' Team meeting.
- The Great Banquet team is such a blessing to me...those women are truly amazing...16 different denominations are represented on that team...amazing things happen in that arena, that are indescribable...
- Peppered throughout the week, e-mails, and 'writings' and phone calls that involve the other 'project' for spring: Oil Belt Ladies' Day! The team has affectionately named themselves the DIVAS (Divinely Inspired Volunteers And Servants) and this group represent 10 different churches in an 85 mile radius. The 'Day' this spring is April 17. God's hand is on that group, and the plans they make...the DIVAS range in age from 28-around 60. single, young married, professional, stay at home mom, retired, grandmas...quite a variety of women, those DIVAS...but such hearts to serve and serve well!
I cannot wait to see what God does with this spring. Not only in the lives of the women I will meet at these events and gatherings...but just the things His Word will teach me as I study and prepare for each one.
The women that I am SO very blessed to work with: whether I'm thinking of PC & Phyllis at the church, or the Great Banquet team, or the DIVAS...or the girls who attend Monday nights, or the girls who attend Sunday mornings...or the group I get to visit with on Mondays...they each, individually, and collectively, bless and challenge me on so many levels. There's always questions, or comments that challenge me to think 'higher' or trust 'more'...great insights are usually shared that I can glean from women that have walked the path I'm on!
Life is GOOD. And, here's the reason: What I just wrote looks like 'so much'...when in reality, there's still time for me to enjoy baking brownies with Will, and watch Ally do the 'chicken dance'...cook with Madison & Mallory and talk--or listen to Holly when she calls me from Florida. And, Randy & I have time for each other...because we purpose to do just that. The 'team meetings' on Sundays are sort of 'date time' for us!
Each day is really pretty laid back...of course there are things 'to do'...but they remain 'just things'...they are prayed over, and if they are on the list because God put them there, then they get done...there's always enough time to do those things!
You see, the God of the universe knows everything about me
...how many hairs are on my head, how many things I need to do today
...what I am capable of 'recalling on my own'...and what I need prompted to remember
...He gives me strength for the day...peace for the night's rest...and JOY in the Journey!
And, above all: I praise HIM for it!
I am blessed: Beyond Measure!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Really Good Week, Even If....
Fabulous week, so far! And, just like most weeks, there's been really good things, and really sad things happen. That is the stuff that life is made of, isn't it? Good and bad...mixed together...can't really have one without the other...strangely enough.
A week ago, my good friends called me to say that one of their father's was having a really serious health issue...I found out at the beginning of this week that he did pass away. So so sad that he is gone...he'll be missed by many...however, what a reward he's experiencing now! He loved the Lord, and he's now seeing the object of his faith, face to face!
This past Monday night, we began a ladies Bible study...large group, then moving to smaller groups for discussion and prayer time together! This format gives the ladies really good opportunities to get to know each other! Several of them have expressed that they actually felt "energized" when they got home!
That's the work of our Great & Mighty God, isn't it? Giving us energy--JOY--when we work to be obedient to His call on our lives!
Today was a good day. I've made several friends, just today! We are in process of starting another session of GriefShare. This will be our 4th cycle...grief is real...and we learn it is like a really 'unwelcome house guest.' It is really important to 'feel' when you are grieving and not stuff emotions, or numb your pain. Those are just a couple of things we learn in the first session. It takes courage to grieve. There's a lot of 'unknowns' and anxious moments....where fears can creep in, and stay if you aren't guarding against them, and seeking truth. Seek truth. And, you know what I'm going to say next: Scripture is that source of truth...Your efforts in seeking truth in scripture will be blessed--richly blessed!
The twins have had a good week...they are funny. They are also doing a really good job in school this year, according to their teachers! And, because the girls are 'the girls', their school secretary and their school nurse are becoming my new best friends!--As, I talk to them pretty frequently--so funny!
See what I mean: life...good with the bad...good with the sad...In this world, you will have trouble...but take heart, I have overcome the world!--Jesus said these words, accroding to John 16:33. There will be trouble here because this is NOT Heaven.
A week ago, my good friends called me to say that one of their father's was having a really serious health issue...I found out at the beginning of this week that he did pass away. So so sad that he is gone...he'll be missed by many...however, what a reward he's experiencing now! He loved the Lord, and he's now seeing the object of his faith, face to face!
This past Monday night, we began a ladies Bible study...large group, then moving to smaller groups for discussion and prayer time together! This format gives the ladies really good opportunities to get to know each other! Several of them have expressed that they actually felt "energized" when they got home!
That's the work of our Great & Mighty God, isn't it? Giving us energy--JOY--when we work to be obedient to His call on our lives!
Today was a good day. I've made several friends, just today! We are in process of starting another session of GriefShare. This will be our 4th cycle...grief is real...and we learn it is like a really 'unwelcome house guest.' It is really important to 'feel' when you are grieving and not stuff emotions, or numb your pain. Those are just a couple of things we learn in the first session. It takes courage to grieve. There's a lot of 'unknowns' and anxious moments....where fears can creep in, and stay if you aren't guarding against them, and seeking truth. Seek truth. And, you know what I'm going to say next: Scripture is that source of truth...Your efforts in seeking truth in scripture will be blessed--richly blessed!
The twins have had a good week...they are funny. They are also doing a really good job in school this year, according to their teachers! And, because the girls are 'the girls', their school secretary and their school nurse are becoming my new best friends!--As, I talk to them pretty frequently--so funny!
See what I mean: life...good with the bad...good with the sad...In this world, you will have trouble...but take heart, I have overcome the world!--Jesus said these words, accroding to John 16:33. There will be trouble here because this is NOT Heaven.
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