Affirmation

Sometimes I feel as though I'm wandering, searching for the place God wants me to be. During weeks like these when I don't see my husband at all because of our work schedules, I question my choices.

And then sometimes God shows me that my efforts are making a difference.

That affirmation is so very sweet.

Like the pride I felt when I went to pick up my paycheck and the Head of H.R. came out of her office to say, "we could really use more employees like you. Thank you."

This morning one of the football players that I take to and pick up from practice commented that his Mom didn't have money for food. I know why God made me available to drive these boys every day. There was a.need.

I imagine that God might appreciate a little affirmation himself so I want to add this..."
Thank you Lord, for the good work you are.doing in  and through me."

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Baby On Board

Something that really gets to me lately is "adult content" and "adult speech" in the presence of children. I'm reminded of the "Baby On Board" stickers on cars that remind other drivers to be "extra careful" when passing or following. And those special window decals that would alert firefighters to pay special attention to a child's bedroom in the event of a house fire. The sentiment is the same..."please use kid gloves." There are innocents in the vicinity, those that may not be able to remove themselves from an ugly situation. Take our experience with "Joe the Barber" as an example. We went to a new barber this week because our dear friend and long time barber, Greg, was in a terrible car accident. It's unlikely that he will ever work again. Joe delivered a descent haircut, but my seven-year-old was subjected to a television station in his shop that carried a morning talk show (topic: gays) and nonstop Viagra commercials. I regret that I didn't intervene. Yesterday at the restaurant I noticed a table full of young men cursing, while parents with two young children sat at the next table, slumped down and uncomfortable. Why didn't I offer to move them? I'm often immobilized in these situations. Recently, we visited a relative to show off the old fashioned costumes we wear to church. Upon seeing the little ones, he asked, "And what's your other son wearing, a thong?" I half smiled when I should have jumped...Really??!! Why don't adults self censor in the presence of children anymore?

Leave Your Troubles Behind

The other day I heard someone rant about the lake (again). "I hate going all the way up there for only a few hours." "It takes at least half an hour to get there." "I'd rather stay at my own house." I don't feel that way at all. Many of my most precious memories are of days (sometimes hours or minutes) spent by the lake. My Grandma M often said, "it's the place we go to forget our troubles." I took one of my Turkish daughters and my Mexican sister there last week. We had a lovely afternoon chatting with fishermen, watching boats, and sitting on the rocks. The children swam. Seagulls squawked overhead. I wonder if they forgot their troubles...this week's bombing in Turkey...The three years that have passed since R has seen her father while he works in California. The person who ranted must have never left his troubles at the lake.

A Butt in a Chair

Yesterday I interviewed for a new full time job. The position doesn't pay well nor does it provide tuition assistance, as I had hoped.

I interviewed at the Department of Labor. A headhunter was assisting the company's H.R. representative in order to process candidates quickly, at a pace of more than twenty per day.

On meeting my interviewer, I saw that I'd already worked with the headhunter when he was an undergraduate. He was very helpful to me and he candidly answered my questions. I got the inside scoop. "The company is growing so fast that they basically need butts to fill chairs."

I landed the job but it's hard to be excited over being a butt for a chair.

Yet, God provided a job close to home, right across the street from the school. After three years in retail, I won't have to work weekends.

I'm worried about sitting for eight hours every day, when maybe I should be looking forward to the rest.

I can do this.

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Marfan Syndrome

I was profoundly impressed by twin twelve year old boys that I met in the restaurant today.  They were polite and sociable. I asked if they played sports, as this is a.topic.rather familiar to tween boys.

Their mother shared that they were recently pulled from all sports activities, once it was discovered that they, and their brother, suffer.from Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue throughout the body. It's often the cause behind the tragic stories we hear where a student athlete mysteriously collapses and dies on the field.

In most cases, it goes undiagnosed. In their case, an autopsy following their grandmother's death revealed the disease. Genetic testing confirmed its presence for these boys.

They were going on "The Superman, " our tallest, fastest roller coaster, one last time. Their mom had conceded, even though any thrill ride poses a.risk. This would be.their last season of rides, as the disease progresses with age.

Once again I'm deeply grateful that our boys are healthy. I try to imagine what it is like- living wit the possibility of a collapse like the twins' mom.

But I can't think for long. It's past midnight and I get up at 6 a.m. to take the boys to football practice. They have basr line concussion screening tomorrow

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This Low Tech Summer

We've enjoyed a deliciously low tech summer. I've paid so little attention to computers and devices that when I finally picked.up the IPad this morning, it asked me for 52 updates. 52.

When I tried to update all, it complained that there wasn't sufficient space. So I deleted emails and videos until I realized that it was set to remove them from the gmail server. I deleted several that were important to a job interview this coming Thursday.

The college upgraded its course management software this morning. Now my summer incompletes can no longer see their classes and I have to learn to navigate the new and learn how to get back into the old. I printed the instructions, thinking to read more when my stress level goes down.

Getting back into technology, after a summer off, hurts!

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My Turkish Daughters

I work with two university students from Turkey. I was quite surprised one day when one said to me, "I told my mom that YOU are my American mother."

Aren't we close enough in age to be sister?! I simply hadn't  yet imagined myself in the role of mother to a college student.

Today we talked about the people who are fleeing Syria and rushing into Turkey.

Ichlai says there is no reason to worry because her country is strong and, she says, "my country is a gentleman."

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Uncharted Waters

The ex husband of my dear friend drowned accidentally while fishing. The search and rescue operation, recovery, and memorial service would have been sad events, given his sudden, tragic passing.

Things were, perhaps, made more stressful and complicated given the "nontraditional" roles in today's modern family: estranged relatives, the separated but still married second wife, half siblings, etc.

For the most part, I gather, everyone did their best to be supportive and respectful.
Given that blended families, separated spouses and families members who refuse to speak to one another seem all the more commonplace, I've wondered if a who new set of norms and roles will eventually surface.

For now, we're moving through uncharted territory.

I'm praying for these folks a lot these days. May they find peace and strength.

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Music Festival

A four day Christian music festival rolls into town every August. We look forward to hearing great live music, checking out the vendor exhibits, and squeezing in a ride or two. The event is held at the amusement park.

For weeks, my coworkers have been warning me about Kingdom Bound attendees. They have a reputation for being cheap and difficult.

Today I saw this first hand. Day 1 of the festival I worked in the restaurant.

Only one family paused to pray over their food. One customer tipped me 21 cents. Most left only a dollar or two, on checks averaging 50 or 60 dollar.

Separate checks. Impatience. Spoiled children.

From the outside looking in, Christians as a group aren't particularly attractive.

Tomorrow is my day off. The teens and I will attend the festival and I'll do my best to model generousity and patience to the staff at the park.

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My Fire Hydrant

My cousin Steve gave me a fire hydrant and I love it. I don't know exactly where I'm going to put it; I'm not generally a fan of lawn ornaments. It's very, very heavy, at least for my girly muscles. This morning I rolled it out of the back of the van and shimmied it, inch by inch, out of the middle of the driveway toward the rock garden. Steve works for a water utility in a southern state. He came by the hydrant legally; his company replaced all of the hydrants in a community that was built prior to 1968 when asbestos may or may not have been used in the linings of the water pipes. The hydrant reads "Mueller 5/14." Newer hydrants, Steve explained, allow just as much water to flow through them as the older varieties but with a smaller form factor. So my hydrant is "bulky" compared to the modern types. It's a relic. I love what the hydrant symbolizes: water in the time of need, saving lives, public access (and dogs:). It will remind me of the this time in our lives, when we are so painfully aware of the frailty of life itself. Another cousin recently lost his life in an accidental drowning. His children, his friends, and his first wife are haunted by the tragic way he died and they are deeply affected by the this sudden loss.