What's Up...........??? Surf's Up!!!

I've been told that I need to update my blog, and since it's been SO long since I've updated it there probably won't be anyone check it to see if anything's different. At any rate, I'm just here to let you know that I won't be updating it until I return from vacation.


Where am I going, you ask?



I'll be doing the Hula next week.......... I'll be sure to update it when I return!! Have a great week - see ya soon!

Maple Nut Goodies (I'm a Time Traveler)

Is it just me or does anyone else love these as much as I do? I'm transported back to my Great-Grandmother's house when I eat these (or chocolate stars, or chocolate covered raisins, or butterscotch disks ...... or a whole host of other goodies!)

I bought a bag yesterday and just finished it today - all by myself. UGH. (I'm back in the present now - 40-something and not able to eat all of that stuff without gaining a few pounds!)

Hurricane David and .... Do they name Tornadoes?

Weekends are great. In fact, this past weekend was probably one of the most relaxing and awesome weekends that we've had in quite awhile. It didn't seem as though it was starting off too great, when my cell phone rang during my drive back to Marshall on Friday. As I was headed back to Marshall, David called to tell me that our 'Little Darling' had been involved in a 'glass-breaking' incident at Homework & Hangout. Now when I hear those words together - 'Little Darling' and 'glass-breaking' - my initial reaction was OMG is he OK? Was he hurt? But David put my worst (or what I thought were my worst) fears to rest by letting me know that Caleb was ok, but there was a broken window at church. YIKES. I was actually headed to see 'My Buddy Bill' because my shoulder/neck/arm were hurting really bad and I knew that if I didn't keep that 4:30 appointment I wouldn't get back into see him until early this week. So I decided to let Caleb 'sit and stew' awhile and go to my chiropractor appointment.

While he waited on one or the other of his parents to show up, Caleb looked through a book and showed the H&H staff a picture of some tornado damage. He told them that 'Mom is a tornado and Dad is a hurricane, and this is what my house will look like when they get finished with me tonight!' I've never been described as a tornado, so I'm not real sure what to think about that, but I can say that we didn't have quite the 'weather alerts' at our house on Friday as was anticipated!

We left H&H to go to soccer practice, and strict instructions were given to go straight to the field and start practicing (because we were late and I was NOT very happy at this point) - no stunts, no showing off, nothing silly - just GO PRACTICE. Shortly after we got there, 2 other kids had to be pulled apart and removed from the soccer field by one of the coaches - kicking and screaming after a real knock-down, kickin' fight. And yet another teammate had a meltdown for some other reason.

They went on to kick butt at the tournament on Saturday morning - two games - back to back! Go Arsenal...... (Hmmmmmm ..... something about that name!) And then the rest of the weekend passed by really quiet and calm! Ahhhhhhhh (And Caleb survived the 'weekend weather' quite nicely!)

Humble Pie - Again - or was it just plain Crow??? !!

I have issues…….. do any of you recognize that in me?? It’s true – I really do have issues.

David was out of town this past weekend, and Caleb had a friend spend the night Friday night. This little guy has never spent the night away from home before (that’s another story) and in order to keep them busy, I checked out PPV and there was absolutely NOTHING worth watching – at least not that I wanted to pay $4 to rent. Knowing that the friend loved dinosaurs as much as Caleb, I decided to rent Jurassic Park and Madagascar…… opposite ends of the spectrum in the movie world, but I digress. When I went to pay for the movies that I had selected I was informed that I had a $12 late fee. I haven’t even been to this store in years because David usually gets the movies in Paris on his way home from work– which is why I was there in the first place since David was out of town. I said, “What?” And she said, ‘You have a $12 late fee due.” I asked again, to be sure I had heard correctly and was assured that there was in fact a $12 late fee due. I told her that I hadn’t rented movies there in years, and so she checked the records and informed me that the $12 late fee was from 2004 for 3 movies that had been left 2 days late in the drop box. It was at this point (since I had already decided that I was NOT paying a late fee for something that Nathan had probably rented because I’m just NOT that nice), that I told her “Fine, if I can’t rent these movies I understand. But I can assure you that I am NOT paying a fine that is 3 years old.” She said, “Well, OK that’ll be $4, and they’re due on Saturday by 4:00 p.m.”. I paid and left – quite happy with my self. (My prayers for humility don’t seem to be working at this point – or maybe they are!)

NOTE TO SELF – Do NOT return these movies late. On Sunday morning when I was getting ready for church, I realized the stupid movies were late. I really thought about leaving them with $4 in the drop box, but decided I’d just take them inside, pay the late fee and vow to NEVER rent movies there again – because of course, it’s all their fault. Sara was with me and as I got out of the car, she said “You’d better hope it’s not the same person working!” And I secretly agreed! When I got inside, it was someone different working, and I was encouraged. I walked up to the counter and said, “These are late. How much do I owe you?” I was thoroughly expecting to pay ALL of my fees, when she very politely said, “Tell you what, I’ll only charge you for one movie since it was a very busy weekend for everyone!”

OMG - I ate Humble Pie AGAIN this weekend. It’s getting REALLY old. You'd think I'd begin to develop a taste for it....... Or wait - maybe I am - maybe that's why I keep eating it... Hmmm?

The Recipe...... for Humble Pie

I have to explain my blog from yesterday - and while I won't explain everything because I don't want you to think any worse of me than you may already, I will say that I have issues. Of course, many of you may already know that - and I will willingly and freely admit that to anyone! There are times when I get the 'Paula-filter' on my eyes, and fail to see others as Jesus would see them. I've been having some issues lately and had myself a little fit Sunday afternoon. David said something to me that I interpreted to mean - can't you just see this through Jesus' eyes?? (Thanks Dear Husband!! : ) I love that man!) And then Monday morning, I got up to read the study that I've been doing and one of the scripture references was John 15:16 but I also included verse 17!! And it says, 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

And so if God could choose me, in my most unloveable state of being (which is pretty often!), who am I to judge or consider someone else even the least bit critically. God chose each and everyone of us for a very specific purpose, and my purpose is no greater than anyone elses. In fact, without those other people, (all of us working together) God's purpose or design might not come to fruition and someone might miss a blessing. How dare I be so self-assured.

And then I read the next scripture - 17This is my command: Love each other. So, we love each other, just like God loves us. And I am very humbled, and give thanks to God for showing me the recipe.... to humble pie!

Humble Pie (Isn't very good!)

It's been an ongoing prayer of mine since early summer (maybe early Spring - HA - maybe even longer!) that God would give me a big dose of humble pie. And without going into detail, I will say that the servings of 'pie' haven't necessarily been large, but they've been relentless and I feel as if I'm stuffed. WOW - that didn't sound very humble, did it? I said that too mean that I've had WAY more than enough, and yet I'm still learning the lesson! Huge dose was served just yesterday!

And maybe, just maybe, I've learned now! But I'm sure I'll need a few refresher courses. I found the following scripture when I was searching Bible Gateway for 'humility'. Zephaniah 2:3 says that if I seek righteousness and humilty, perhaps I'll be sheltered from God's anger (that is my paraphrase completely but I think it's close - OOPs - it's that humility thing again). So if any of you see a fierce storm that appears to be quite central to one location, and rather intense, please note that it's probably me and God is angered that I haven't quite learned my lesson yet, and you might want to stay clear.

Please God - remove the 'Paula-filter' from my eyes and replace it with your 'Jesus-filter'. And I will praise you from the highest mountain-top as I learn my lesson. In the meantime, please walk with me and throw up the 'Jesus-filter' when I begin to be judgemental! I DO love you God, and thank you for loving me - even when I'm not very loveable!

Intercession......

Last night, a group gathered together in our home to intercede on behalf of friends who are going through a VERY difficult time. My mind can't even begin to fathom the horror of losing a child and it has been difficult to concentrate on much of anything. God was with us last night - He says that where two or more are gathered, He will be there. He also tells us that He hears our prayers. We spent time last night just crying out to our God, and He was THERE and He HEARD us. The burden seemed so unbearably heavy last night, and while it continues to be heavy it seems easier to bear in light of God's mercy, grace, peace, and healing. I know that they felt our prayers last night, because God is faithful and will not leave us. We are the ones who leave him - how very sad and frightening.

We serve a mighty, and powerful God who will, when we call on His name, 'tell us marvelous and wonderful things that we could NEVER figure out on our own' .... Jer 33:3 (Msg) Isn't it amazing that He would even be willing to share those things with us - and all we have to do is call His name!

God - I am calling on Your name - Sweet Jesus - crying out to you, begging you for understanding. And I thank you for answering with love, grace, healing, and mercy. I love you God, and I thank you for providing. Humble me God, and use me, as a very willing vessel for your glory.