Welcome Back Old Friend

I have rediscovered a lifelong friend. The Library! I am finding out that paying $20 or more for a book and then even if I resell it at the Half Price Bookstore, I make about 25 cents. And as I continue with my cleaning frenzy (actually frenzy might be a little too strong of a word, but no matter), I am discovering books I completely forgot I had. Since, unlike Carissa I have rarely, if ever, read a book twice, it doesn't seem fiscally responsible to buy books in these trying economic times. So I stopped by the Waukee Library and checked out a couple books. They even have movies. I got "An Affair to Remember" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." You can keep them for a week. For free. And I could even renew them because I didn't get both watched yet. With no fees.

Another very cool thing about living in the Des Moines area is I do not have just one library. Yesterday I stopped in the West Des Moines library and they had 5 times as many books by a particular author than the Waukee library. Dena loves the Urbandale library so I am going to get a card there. The Des Moines library is just a few years old and it's on the west side of downtown so oh so easy to get to. There is a little park nearby and I think there are plans for a sculpture garden so how pleasant could that be to go down there on a summer day with a good book and read amidst the sculptures.

Another thing I noticed when I was in the West Des Moines Library is that they have a little cafe and a coffee shop! Be still my wildly beating heart. I will have to check, but I think the Urbandale library might have the same thing. I have suggested to the Waukee library people in charge the very same thing, but so far there is no coffee shop. I have to think it would be a gold mine. I would help them out.

So, as that wise old sage, Arthur the Ardvark once said:

"Having fun isn't hard, when you have a library card."

So welcome back old friend, I will be visiting often.

Keep reading.


Thankful for today:
1. Warmer weather!!
2. Dinner last night with Denise.
3. Libraries.

I Am Praying For:
1. Tate.
2. My D-group.
3. Mark, Cody, Elizabeth, Carson and Carissa.

Can't Insult Me

A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

There's a commercial I see frequently that always makes me smile. It's for MasterCard with Peyton Manning, the quarterback for the Indianopolis Colts. In the first scene, Peyton is waiting for the elevator in a hotel in New England with the bellhop. The bellhop tells Peyton "You're going down Manning" to which Peyton replies "Yep, 4th floor, going to get a massage, I'm excited." The next scene Peyton is in Cleveland and room service brings him a fruit basket telling him "Don't choke on it" and Peyton says "Good call, I'll cut it up and make a fruit salad." The final scene Peyton comes onto his balcony at his hotel in San Diego and says good morning to the maid cleaning on the next balcony to which she tells him "take a hike." Peyton tells her he's "going to do that, the weather here is sweet."

A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

I found this little prayer many, many years ago. I liked it then, I like it now.

Prayer of an Optimist by Jerry Spinelli
I saw a worm with an apple around it;
The tiniest speck of a bug flew into my eye, but I got it out before it drowned;
I flipped a coin and called heads - it came up tails -
Flipped it again and called tails - it came up heads -
Sure glad I'm not a coin, having to be wrong all the time;
I reached into a rosebush for a ball and got nicked by a thorn near the loveliest rose I've ever seen -
I wonder how long that proud bush had been trying to get my attention;
My tire went flat, so was my spare - I walked - I may never ride again;
For the fifteen thousand one hundred and first day in a row, I breathed approximately
twenty-six thousand times - That's - get this Westinghouse - nearly four hundred million without a failure!
And another Partly Sunny day tomorrow?
You're going to spoil me yet.

The next time I'm driving down I-235 and the car next to me honks and waves at me with their middle finger in the air, I'm going to smile widely and wave with my whole hand. Some people are so friendly.


Thanksgiving
1. Church and dinner with Dena and Greg last week.
2. The people in my small group.
3. The ladies in my Women of the Word group.
4. E-mails and text messages from Cody, Elizabeth, Carson and Carissa.
5. Phone calls from Rachel and Betty.
6. Hearing from a couple girls who graduated from Waukee a while back.

I Am Praying For
1. Tate.
2. Barack Obama and the leaders of our country.
3. The United States of America.
4. My D-group.
5. People who have lost jobs.

It's A New Year, So It Must Be Time For Resolutions

I'm hearing a lot these days about New Year's Resolutions. Certainly not a new phenomenon, but the topic you hear every single year at this time. The most popular seem to be to lose weight, eat better, stop smoking, start saving more money, etc. I don't really do resolutions because it feels like a setup for failure. I'm not going to go from eating Hostess cupcakes today to grapefruit tomorrow. Just ain't gonna happen sister. However, I do like to evaluate my life and see if I'm on the right track so to speak. So here I go.

Eating. My body is a "temple of God" so pouring donuts and Diet Pepsi into it probably isn't honoring my body as a temple. So I should eat better. There is always room for improvement there. And truthfully I have been eating better. Maybe not the five vegetables and fruits per day as recommended, but quite frankly if I get any in a day, I let myself feel pretty good about me.

Exercise. I actually don't mind exercising. Today at negative whatever below zero kept me from my hangout at Anytime Fitness, but I can be fairly regular. Of course, the challenge is not getting there, but working at a beneficial pace rather than just taking a stroll on the treadmill while watching the Today Show. Because it's so much more fun to just stroll. I try to be aware of how blessed I am that I am able to walk, to move. To dance if I feel like it although not if anyone is watching. Not everyone has that blessing.

Save money. I love to shop. But if a need comes up, I want to be in a position to write a check or give money in that instance. My work hours are Monday through Thursday noon to 5 so that give me a 3-1/2 day weekend every single week. I earn approximately 4 hours per pay period of PTO (paid time off) that I can use for vacation, if I get sick, etc. However, with a 3-1/2 weekend every week, I rarely dip into that PTO time and thus I have accrued quite a bit of time. With our Employee Giving Campaign we could give away PTO hours or if a fellow employee has a need for lots of hours due to illness or a family crisis. So with the number of hours I had built up, I have had the opportunity to give many of those hours away. That's how I visualize the money in my life. Have enough stored up to be able to give it away when I see a need. So, I'm becoming a relentless bargain shopper in all areas of my life and the truth is, the more you give away, the more you have.

To Know God. This is actually #1. When I am right with God and spending time in His Word and prayer, then the other stuff falls into place. I will never completely know God until I am no longer on earth, so it's a goal I won't achieve, but I think the journey is pretty fabulous. Because there are many circumstances where I am surrounded by people who do not know God, being with people who are committed to Him is a blessing I can't begin to describe. So keep strengthening relationships and being focused on knowing Him better is something I truly desire. "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."1 Chronicles 16:11

As part of growing closer to God, I want to keep reaching out to people with notes, phone calls, anything that God puts on my heart. It's easy for me to send the note, the hard part is to do this and expect absolutely nothing in return. Too often I expect a thank you or some sort of return. That's what I'm hearing from God right now. Do it in His name and delight in His joy. "... it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me" Galatians 2:20.

Happy 2009.

Oops

Yesterday as I was driving home after my date with the treadmill at Anytime Fitness, I noticed a high school student probably on his way to school in a really, really, really nice little silver Corvette. Now my brother Jeff could tell you all kinds of things about this Corvette, the make, model, the year, how many miles were on it, if it was preowned, etc. all in the time it took me to see it on the road. All I know is that it was a Corvette.

At least I'm pretty sure.

Now I don't know where this particular young man lands on the coolness scale at WHS, but driving around in a car like this can probably move you up the ladder pretty quickly. What I noticed about him though was that his face was pale white, even accounting for the fact it is December in Iowa, and he was either scared or very, very nervous. I was able to get such a good look at him because the road was semi-slick and we were moving pretty slowly, this was at 7:45 in the morning so lots of traffic, and, the Corvette was in a snowbank in the ditch. The young man kept looking behind him like he was looking for a break in the traffic to get back on the road. I will be the first to admit I don't know much at all about cars, but I don't think a Corvette is an off-road type of vehicle that you want to use to go in and out of ditches.

Three things passed through my mind as I passed this stranded teenager.

1. He's going to be late for school and I wonder if Mark is his dean.
2. I hope that his dad or stepdad or whoever paid for this shiny toy is grateful the young man is unhurt; thankful that he slipped into the ditch and not into oncoming traffic.
3. Teenage Driver + Corvette + Slick Roads = Not Such A Good Idea.

Slip slidin' away.



Thanksgiving
1. Praying and meeting with Dena.
2. Paige, Wellspring, peppermint lattes and Poore Bros BBQ potato chips.
3. Family together next weekend.
4. Games.
5. Chocolate covered graham crackers.

I'm Praying For
1. Tate.
2. Mark, Cody, Elizabeth, Carson and Carissa.
3. Jeff, Nancy, Noah and Brianna.
4. People who have lost jobs.
5. Safe travel.
6. Keeping the meaning in Christmas.
7. My D-Group.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

When I was growing up in Wisconsin, we had very traditional holiday celebrations. Every Thanksgiving, we began our day with church in the morning and then to my Grandma VW's house for the Thanksgiving feast along with all my aunts, uncles and cousins. Every year my dad would tell me he thought Grandma would be having chicken this year instead of turkey. Every year I believed him. And every year my Uncle Pete carved the turkey. How I love those memories.

That was a time when people grew up, got married and raised their families in the same area so traditions could be established. It hasn't been that way so much with me. I went to college in Iowa, married Mark who has always lived in Iowa and I haven't left since. But even though Mark has lived in Iowa his entire life, we don't live near his family so we haven't had the opportunity to establish traditions like I had as a child.

When we were first married and living closer to Mark's family, we usually went there with his extended family. But then we moved and over the years our Thanksgiving routine changed and now it's different every year. When Mark and whatever child was currently involved in high school basketball, I would take the other available offspring and spend Thanksgiving in Wisconsin with my parents. It could be different people in any given year. Two years ago, Cody and Elizabeth were doing a rotation in Philadelphia so the rest of us boarded a plane and flew out there for the weekend. Cody and Elizabeth had limted pots and pans so much of our Thanksgiving dinner was made in foil pans. As Cody brought out the dishes, he wished us all a "Happy Tinsgiving." Cleanup was certainly a breeze. Last year, we once again treked up to northwest Iowa and had our last Thanksgiving with Mark's grandpa.

This year, we once again had a new Thanksgiving experience with an old twist. We were invited by our good, good Waukee friends John and Monica to spend the day at their home. Cody and Elizabeth couldn't be with us this year and John and Monica's oldest son, Ben, is in the Merchant Marine and spent Thanksgiving on a ship somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. I was once again able to begin the Thanksgiving Day by going to church. We went to Lutheran Church of Hope and it warmed my heart to see them keep bringing in more chairs and more chairs as more and more people arrived. We were going to sit with John and Monica, but they were late enough that they got the front row. It was a traditional service just like I grew up with -- singing those wonderful Thanksgiving hymns.

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;He chastens and hastens his will to make known;The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;So from the beginning the fight we were winning;Thou, Lord, wast at our side,

All glory be thine!We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.Let thy congregation escape tribulation;Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

To me it was the perfect service for that day, an opportunity to reflect and just feel so humbly thankful for all the blessings I have been given.

From there, it was on to John and Monica's. I brought dessert, which Carissa made, and we (certainly me anyhow) ate too much, watched some football, talked a lot, laughed a lot, and enjoyed a day with friends. I could not have had a more perfect day. I could not be more thankful.

Sometimes I think it would be nice for my kids to have grown up with a Thanksgiving tradition and be able to enjoy that experience. But this is good too. It gives us the opportunity to be thankful for family, friends, loving the ones you're with and the ones somewhere else, setting aside this day for Giving Thanks.



Thanksgiving
1. A day set aside to give thanks.
2. Carissa and Carson home for the weekend.
3. Monica, John, Callie and Zeke.
4. Movies.
5. Fondue.
6. Safe travel for Carissa and Carson as they drove back.

With Lifted Hands
1. Safety for Ben in his travels.
2. Cody and Elizabeth.
3. Focus as Carissa and Rachel prepare for finals.
4. Rachel.
5. Tate.
6. Carson will be able to join us in Wisconsin.
7. Blessings on the Christmas season.

Football, Hawkeyes and Church

Last weekend Mark, Carson and I travelled up to Minneapolis for the Iowa/Minnesota Game. Our good friends, John and Monica and the fam were there and to say we had a wonderful time doesn't do justice to just how much fun we had. A big part of the fun was all the Hawkeye fans who had also come up for the game. There were Hawkeye fans everywhere -- At our hotel in Bloomington, at John and Monica's hotel downtown, at IKEA, there was black and gold everywhere you looked. The game was at night and we walked from John and Monica's hotel to the Metrodome. On the way, we would greet other Iowa fans, shout out a "Go Hawks" and slap hands. As we passed tailgaiters, a big "Go Hawks" would sound out again.

During the game, we cheered, we high fived everytime Iowa scored, or made a first down. One young lady a few rows down led us in the I.O.W.A. cheer every time Iowa got a touchdown and since they had 55 points, she was a busy girl. We were strangers with a common goal -- cheering and encouraging our team.

So then I was thinking. What if all these fans went to the game, but people in black shirts sat in one section, people in gold shirts sat in another section. Another section had people whose shirts said Hawkeyes and another section was for those whose simply said Iowa. And while the game was going on, we all looked at the people in the other sections and if we saw someone with a short sleeve shirt we would think "My goodness, doesn't that person realize we're in Minnesota? In November?" Or if someone had on a sweatshirt, we would nudge the person next to us and say "We're in a dome for pity sake, why are they wearing a sweatshirt?" And we would be so busy looking at all the people in the other sections that we would completely miss a nearly perfectly excuted game being played out on the field.

I see that as a picture of the church. There is the Catholic Church, the Baptists, Lutherans, Evangelical Free Church, The Reformed, Church in America, Nondemoninational and then along comes -- oh gasp -- contemporary versus traditional and on it goes. We become so intent on seeing the differences that we forget to keep our eyes on The Real Game, the One who is our common ground.

I have to believe that if I have a contrite heart acknowledging how sinful I am, but so filled with joy and gratitude for the saving grace that God has given us, then if I'm singing with an organ or drums and a guitar, if I'm at a Catholic mass or worshiping in an African-American community, that God is there with me.

At the end of the game, all the Minnesota fans had gone on home and Iowa fans were the only ones left in that vast cavern called the Metrodome. We were strangers with one common interest who had come into opponent's house, won the battle on the field and then took over their territory. I think if The Church would focus on the One we serve rather than how different we are, we could go far in defeating the real enemy and taking over much of the territory he holds on to. Fight on.

Thanksgiving
1. John, Monica, kids and extended family.
2. Iowa Football.
3. A day devoted to giving Thanks.
4. Cuzin Barby.
5. Having Carson along to Minneapolis.
6. Carissa coming home this week.

With Lifted Hands and Heart
1. Tate
2. Mark, Cody, Elizabeth, Carson and Carissa.
3. Safe travel for Carissa and others coming home for Thanksgiving.
4. Family blessings this week.
5. A successful cookie walk at the Reformed Church in SF.

Taking A Little Extra Time

Last night, I was watching the 6 o'clock news and and Andy Fales from WHO was interviewing elderly people about elections in the past. He asked how many elections they had participated in, who they had voted for in past elections, etc. One lady told Andy she dressed up to go vote. I can remember a time when people dressed up just to go do some errands. I think it's cool that men wore hats and women wore dresses when they left their homes. I love seeing June Cleaver wearing pearls. Although I never really see her do any housework.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures.



This is my grandfather and me. There are a lot of things I like about this picture. I don't know where we were going when this picture was taken, perhaps for a Sunday drive as this picture was taken in a car. I love his hat, I love the bow in my hair and the fact that I'm pretty sure my mom made my coat.

God has placed some pretty wonderful people in my life. One of the people I just appreciate so much is a young lady named Tyra. Tyra could be my daughter had I started having a family much, much younger.

Okay, not that much younger.

Tyra is a bundle of energy and you can't help but have your spirits lifted just by spending a few minutes with her. She coordinates the children's ministry at our church and I can't imagine a person better suited for that role.

I have been on this cleaning rampage for several months now (it is waning somewhat, but I press forward) and in Carissa's room I found an angel suit and some crafty things I thought Tyra could use with her own little ones and in her children's ministry. I stopped by her house one day and I was completely caught off guard when she opened the door. She was wearing nice clothes, had makeup on, and, this really shocked me. She was wearing jewelry. Silver no less! I said do you have company, are you having a party? I was just thinking, well, I don't know what I was thinking. And guess what she said? She said she and her little guy were having some cuddle time. She looked this amazing for cuddle time. I have to tell you, I was in awe. I can go from bed to Hy-Vee to Target barely passing go. And since I work at home, I don't even want to talk about wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt for work. I think it was honoring to Tyra's little ones and her husband that she took the time and effort to look her best.

I don't believe in obsessing about our appearance, but I could at least not scare people when I'm running my errands. If I worked in an office, I wouldn't be able to wear sweat pants so I could do better with that. It's not like it takes a whole lot of time to fix oneself up a bit.

Oh, and I do wish men's hats would make a comeback.