everything you ever wanted to know about me, but were afraid to ask

O.K., so I received A question. Just as I suspected. I've already told more than anyone wanted to know. It's fine - I'm not bitter. Really. I always look like this. Really.

But, I will answer the question posed to me by http://lenadianejennings.blogspot.com/ "Okey dokey: If your house was on fire and you could save only one thing, the thing dearest to your heart, what would it be? Other than your pets and loved ones, of course. That's a given."

I thought long and hard on this one and discarded the usual suspects: photos, my Bible (which is on my PDA that I would have on me anyway), family heirlooms (we don't really have any). And what I finally came up with was my comforter. You don't understand. This is a ten-year comforter. See, my husband doesn't leave the decorating decisions up to me. He also only wants to buy something like a comforter once in his lifetime, so he must GET IT RIGHT! Over ten years ago, literally, we began looking for material. Since we had less than zero dollars at the time, it was moot really when we found the perfect fabric for the top of our comforter cover. We waited nearly three years for the material to go on clearance, and nearly missed it entirely as it was being discontinued. We bought the whole bolt, put it in the closet, and began looking for the fabric for the underside. And the trim.

I got all rebellious and bought a white down comforter for the inside off of ebay. WITHOUT EVEN CONSULTING HIM! Amazingly, we are still together. During all this time, the debate on whether I would make the cover (a professional seamstress for 10 years), or whether we would have someone else do it, because I might mess it up, waged on. Two years passed before we found the underside material. Then another year before we found the perfect cording.

Then, I moved to Oklahoma for 5 months alone while he tried to find a job here. No time (or room) for sewing during our time in the ghetto. If you'll remember, I call it that, not because of racial issues, but the fact that we were robbed THREE TIMES while we were there. We were eventually reunited and then moved out of the ghetto. Getting settled once again, I finally made the comforter cover. We have just now decided on the appropriate closure for it, so it should be complete in the next month.

To my husband's credit, he has AMAZING taste. The comforter is perfect. The top is a tapestry-like material in a forest green and moss green general swirly kind of thing, with dusty rose and deep red colored cabbage roses with individual threads of gold, here and there. Really hard to explain. The underside is a deep red iridescent fabric, stitched in a diamond pattern. The cording is the same deep red, with a burgundy twist. I'll try to figure out how to post a picture. When you see it, I think you'll be impressed.

So really, I just couldn't face going through that process again. I have actually had a fire in my home back in Texas. I grabbed my purse, the bridesmaids dresses I was working on, and the TV REMOTE! When I realized that I didn't have the TV to go with it. I took it back inside. My husband took all the computer stuff, put it on our bed, and covered it with a blanket. Apparently, we were both ENTIRELY COHERENT at 3 am when our duplex was in flames.

Perhaps it is a good thing to think about this question and plan for the worst. If anyone else has a question, I'll be happy to answer it. I'll just be here. Waiting.

Because I'm all original like that

In the interests of a) fulfilling my only New Year's Resolution - to blog more often b) complete disclosure and c) risking no questions WHATSOEVER...

I'm jumping on the "Ask me anything" bandwagon today. Now, I can't imagine that anyone might have had questions up to this point that they may have held back. And I am unabashedly open in person. TMI, anyone? But if, perchance, you might want to know my favorite curry, or my first...whatever...ask away. I will be pleased as punch to answer any question pertaining to me. I'll be more circumspect about family member questions. I'd actually like to receive birthday presents.

What was your name again?

Long time, no type, eh friends? The holidays were such a blur. See, I’m generally a last minute kind of girl anyway. But when ICE STORM 2007 knocked out our power for four days (and others for much, much longer), the world came to a screeching halt. Not only could I not get anything accomplished that week, all the regular things I needed to do got pushed to the next week. So, in short (ha!) I did ALL of my Christmas shopping on Dec. 23rd and 24th. Needless to say, the Christmas letters didn’t get mailed.

In the aftermath of ICE STORM 2007, the scramble to get all the paperwork together to enroll and provide financial aid for my older daughter to attend ORU sucked all my remaining vacation time right out of the house. “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” Name that quote! At any rate, both girls are now attending class. An absolute miracle of the “happy dance” variety!

Now, Tulsa has faced many ice storms in the past, but ICE STORM 2007 was altogether odd. I don’t know if it was the culmination of the extended drought of the last two years, followed by the amazing rain of this past Spring/Summer, then the mild temperatures up to the point of ICE STORM 2007, or if terrorists were to blame, but not even Jack Bauer could stop the AMAZING TREE BREAKAGE across our state. It is truly amazing. The dump sites are all full and there is still a phenomenal amount of tree trimming and hauling to be done. Yippee. Welcome to Tulsa.

Good news – I had been weighing my options on attending Wednesday night church regularly because of the expense of gas and eating on the road (if you’ll remember we live an hour away from our church). I rearranged my Wednesday obligations and figured we could get a motel room on the weekends that I lead worship, do practice and counseling appts. on Saturdays, for less than I was spending to drive out on Wednesdays. That meant no getting up super early on my worship team Sundays. YAY! I hadn’t talked to the pastor yet about it ‘cuz…well…refer to previous paragraphs. There have actually been a few times when I absolutely did not have gas or money to go. That’s just not good. ANYWAY, I got a call this week that the council had voted to cover my gas and Wednesday meals! AMAZING! What a blessing! I really love these people, and I would move to the country in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to work here to put my kids in college. Maybe God will open up a door there, as well. I’ve been praying, but no breakthrough yet.

So far my only New Year’s Resolution is to post more often. We all see how well that’s going. I’ve been faithfully lurking (is that an oxymoron?), but I’ll try to comment more often, too. I still don’t know ANYTHING about making my blog look nice, post buttons, pictures, or anything else. Despite the continued filling out of blog design contest entries, I’ve not yet had the blessing of professional help. Well, not that kind anyway. So, if anyone out there might find it in her heart to make a seed faith gift of blog design, I’m most certain the Lord would bless and multiply that seed in mysterious ways.

O.K. I’m done rambling. Blame it on the four day migraine. I love you!

Illuminati

Sweet, sweet electricity – how I heart you. You warm my home and my cockles. You bring me season one of 24 in all its non-stop suspense. I’ll never stray from you again. No more sleeping in wool socks, sweats, and stocking cap under four blankets. No more blow drying my hair at the office. No more cooking curry by candle light.

Yes, I live in the state with the dubious distinction of holding the record for most Presidential “state of emergency” declarations in one year. We now have firewood for the next millennia. And my refrigerator has never been so clean.

Now, honestly, my husband has risen to the challenge of “ICE STORM 2007” in ways that boggle the mind. Chopping wood, rising in the night to feed the fire, purchasing dry ice and packing the contents of both refrigerators into igloo coolers, cleaning out the refrigerators entirely (yea, even washing the drawers!) and refilling them when the power came back on, insulating our pipes, and so on, and so on. Frankly, I’m flabbergasted. If he keeps this up, I’m going to have to start, you know, doing housework or something. I never thought I’d be a spoiled wife, what with the bumpy (like glass shards!) middle 10 years of our marriage. But I am truly, blissfully spoiled now. I reek of husband indulgence. And I must say it looks good on me!

P.S. Drop by my daughter Rachel's blog http://rroxannet.blogspot.com/ and leave her a note. She really wants readers!

Legacy

Lately, God has been stirring in my spirit about purpose, potential, legacy. Ringing in my mind are these words from Nichole Nordman, "I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically. And leave that kind of legacy."

In my constant state of "I'm not like other girls," I wonder if anyone else out there wants to leave the same kind of legacy that I do. My heroines were Joan of Arc, Deborah, and Jael (my favorite!). I want to be FIERCE! Not mean, but fierce. This would be where I (or maybe the enemy) say I don't think I'm like other women. I hope I'm wrong. I'm feeling challenged by God that we as American Christians are not impacting our world, because we teach our children to be cowards. Hide, don't rock the boat, separate. Even our general culture says that defending your country or those who can't defend themselves is for the foolish. Stay home and hope things get better. Don't volunteer. Don't speak up. Don't lay down your life.

Honestly, when I read Foxe's Book of Martyrs I'm so ashamed of myself and my comfortable Christianity. I want to know the honor of giving my life for God. I fall so short. Why do we value a mediocre life extended over a life well-lived with honor and integrity. I love that my children think I'm cool and funny, but I mostly want them to think I'm FIERCE.

I know this is not everyone's heart, nor do I expect it to be. I don't consider myself better than anyone for feeling driven in this direction. I just wonder today, what is the legacy you want to leave? How are you pursuing that?

God is in His heaven, and all is right with the world!

I'm off, that's right, off for the entire week! I slept late this morning, after, of course, being trampled by a parti-colored standard poodle-dork at dark-thirty o'clock. I have lists and lists made. I love me some lists. We got a Christmas tree from a family at church and it's already put up! Slap me silly and feed me biscuits! I don't even know what to think!

Basically, everything is purchased for the annual Thanksgiving Camp-Out. This year is a real challenge because we will be the only ones camping. Usually there are 4 or more families, so the cooking duties are divided and at least one family has a real oven. However, we are on our own with just a pop-up. The kids are going to have to step up and really help this year. The forecast is cooperating and it's going to be nice and COLD! YAY! WE LOVE COLD! I know, most of you think I'm insane, but when you live your entire life in Texas, cold is a wonderful thing, and a primary reason for moving a bit north.

My middle child, second daughter Rachel Roxanne, has a new blog and wants me to put out the word to everyone to read it. http://rroxannet.blogspot.com/ Let me explain, she doesn't proofread. As a magazine editor, I am practicing "Serenity Now" even as I type. Also, SAGA is the cafeteria on her college campus. Finally, she is very funny, so check it out and leave her a comment.

Alas, so much to do, so little diet Coke. Have a wonderful holiday, sweet friends!

It's a GURL PARTY!

You might want to go potty and get yourself a diet Coke – this is gonna be a long one…Ready?

A few months ago, the women of our church watched a video series by Women of Faith for our Wednesday night class. What a great group of women! Each speaker made us laugh, cry, and grow in our faith.

Now let me backtrack. Our family has suffered financial woes (and, let’s face it, mismanagement) for lo, these many years. While we have been crawling out of this deep pit in the last year, it’s still close all the time. When I get frustrated, I stop to thank the Lord that Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid, and free school lunches were there when we needed them. And I thank Him that we no longer qualify, and have our own insurance. Still, getting to go to conferences and girls’ weekends has remained in the realm of wishful thinking.

Fast forward to six weeks ago. I just “happened” to look at the WOF website and found a conference in OKC Nov. 2 & 3. I set my heart on going, and believed the money I was anticipating from the editing of a book would be my provision. I announced to the ladies of my church that I was going and would love to have someone join me. A couple of ladies expressed interest, and I thought one was going to make it. Alas, her finances fell through. Still, I determined to go, even if I was all alone.

Two weeks ago it was time for the check to come. My husband was also waiting for 3 expense reimbursement checks to come. One week ago I called to check on my check – they hadn’t mailed it, but would that day. No checks for Doug. This week, I emailed and still have no answer on mine. Doug called on his and discovered they had not mailed his either. In the meantime, we are moving money from accounts and robbing the kids’ piggy banks to cover gas and food. Now remember, I haven’t bought my ticket or booked a hotel yet.

Last week I got an email from one of the ladies at church that she had won tickets to the conference – she and a friend were going and wanted to know if we could ride together and share a hotel. They were in the final drawing for a hotel as well, and were praying for that provision. I let them know about the money situation, and we agreed to pray for each other. This week I found out they won the hotel, too! Yay! Part of my provision has come through. My husband’s regular paycheck came yesterday, so I finally bought my ticket! We’re not sitting together, but I GET TO GO! Still no checks in the mail. I really believe the enemy wanted to thwart this trip. BUT GOD IS GREATER! Though the money was delayed, He held a seat just for me and paid for my hotel.

I’m in need of fun, encouragement, refreshment, and friendship. The move to Tulsa was clearly God’s direction for us, but has been fraught with trouble and loneliness. I miss my Texas friends and haven’t really connected with anyone in town. Just the adjustment to working full-time has been a barrier. Then, when you add in the fact that I go to church an hour from here, all that spur-of-the-moment buddy stuff just ain’t happening.

Yet, God gives grace. My bloggy friends have been His hands extended in so many ways. What a God-send this decision to blog became! I had no idea! I hope that I can find ways to strengthen and encourage you as you have me. Know that I pray God’s blessings on you regularly.

I'm heading out from the office at 4:30 and will try to stay near the speed limit on the road to OKC. Come on snacks, giggles, tears, and fun! I'm so excited that any productivity in my already glacially slow (and cold!) job is mighty unlikely. I will blog all about the conference when I get back, and may learn how to post pictures, too! Love to all!

Gaining momentum for the big day!

Waiting, in vain, for a new position. *sigh* I didn't get the job, so much disappointment all around. Trying, in vain, to understand God and His ways. *bigger sigh* *adding a pout*

Andrea crunched her car a couple of days ago, and she is so sad she actually blogged about it. Her first accident. Lots of tears. http://dastardlystar.blogspot.com/ Leave her some bloggy love, will you.

We're trying to plan Thanksgiving (my most favoritest holiday), without, of course, actually doing any real planning. Here's the deal...we camp for Thanksgiving. Yes, I know it's weird, but since our extended families are where fun goes to die, we decided to change things about 5 years ago. All three of our kids aged 15, 18, 21 love camping. At the same time! How could we pass that up? The deal is, this year we live in Oklahoma, not Texas. And the folks that did the planning in years past live in Texas. So we have to be the grups this year. They also had the only real oven because of their fancy-schmancy camper. Oh, and the turkey deep fryer. I'm going to have to lie down now, I'm feeling faint.

So, for any of you who live near Grand Lake, Ok (I wish we were going to Grand Lake, CO!) and know anything about campsites, please help a sister out!

Thrilling tales of intrigue!...or not

All right, I haven't posted in a coon's age (how old is that, anyway?), and so, since I have nothing going on, I thought I'd tell you all about it.

I'm still waiting to hear on the last job I applied for at the University. Of course, since ORU is awash in controversy right now, they may not be making any decisions along that line anytime soon. *grinding her teeth and rolling her eyes* It really is the perfect position for me, and I'm trying to trust that God has this all worked out.

OH! Today is my 24th anniversary! YAY! We're going out to dinner tonight, and maybe doing something this weekend. I hope so - I need to get away!

I finished editing the book I've been shuttling to and from Texas for the last year. So glad to get that done! It's really strange to edit for someone you've never met.

We have a new dog - a "party colored" standard poodle named Danny, who is 10 months old. Big and goofy would best describe this hound. He knows all sorts of tricks. His favorites are steal the hat or dirty sock, and empty the trash can. Those are not my favorite tricks. Oh, and drink out of the potty. yum. Our small poodle is having a bit of trouble convincing Danny that he (Joe) is the boss. Much grumpiness ensues. Though, when no one's looking directly at them, Joe actually plays with Danny. That's pretty funny.

I have much more fascinating information, but I'll save that for another post. I wouldn't want you to have to go on heart medication or anything.

Much love!

A Meme! With Linkies! Look at all the Linkies!

My husband is still floating about 3 feet off the ground, and only comes down when he has to go to the last few days of his old job. He has ordered his new phone and is eagerly anticipating his new laptop. He’ll begin Sept. 10th by training in Houston. I’ll miss him, but I’m so glad he’s getting to do this. Now if I could just get a new job, it would be great.

Here’s a meme for your reading pleasure. I got most of it from Diane, but being neurotic I just HAD to fill in the missing letters!

ACCENT – I lived most of my life in Texas, but I also had several years of diction and voice lessons, so it really depends on who I’m with at the time. I have a very sympathetic ear.

BEVERAGE I DON'T DRINK – hmm…coffee – it smells great but >:P , alcohol – I don’t care for the taste of it much and I’d rather use my carbs and calories on something else.

CHORE I HATE – only one? I guess cleaning the bathroom, but I just hate cleaning, hanging up my clothes, washing dishes, etc. The only problem with that is I hate a messy house even more.

DOGS or other PETS – Curly Joe Pancake Taylor, a 4 yr. old poodle/terrier mix, and the greatest dog ever

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS – computer, Palm Treo 680 phone, stereo

FRAGRANCE – Safari One that I can only find by chance at Steinmart(s) or Ross

GOLD or SILVER – silver

HOLIDAY – I want to go to IRELAND!

INSOMNIA – always, without medication I would only sleep about 3 hours a night and be a monster the rest of the time

JOB TITLE – writer/editor, wife, mom

KIDS – Andrea – 21, Roxanne – 18, Zach - 14

LOVE OF YOUR LIFE – Doug, in October married 24 years and more in love today than ever

MOST ADMIRED TRAIT – my confidence, though some are intimidated by it at first

NEGLECT – exercise, woefully neglected

OPINION – There are many “right” ways to parent, and each family needs to find what works best for them. I can share my victories and failures, but who am I to say what I have chosen is God’s way.

PHOBIA – heights and related to that - stairs

QUEST – to find a way to get paid just to be me

RELIGION – I started life as Pentecostal Holiness until Dad quit pastoring when I was one, Southern Baptist till 9th grade, Assembly of God through college and early marriage, Foursquare for the last 20 years.

SIBLINGS – Eric – 55, Pam – 53, Joyce – 50

TIME I WAKE UP – 6:50 am to avoid the alarm at 7 (it’s weird, I know), 8:30 ish on weekends

UNUSUAL TALENT/SKILL – I can ride a unicycle.

VEGETABLE – Fried okra is my favorite, I dislike so many I couldn’t pick the worst

WORST HABIT - procrastination

X-RAYS – teeth, head, neck, mammogram, arm, back, ovaries, foot – I pretty much glow in the dark. Hey, maybe that’s why I can’t sleep!

YOUR FAVORITE MEAL – my prime rib, Steamed Asparagus with Butter and Pine Nuts, Potatoes with Cheese Sauce, Cookie Monster - fresh, hot chocolate chip cookie baked in a mini-iron skillet, topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge (you can get them at Cheddar's if you have one in your area).

ZOOLANDER, Have you seen it? Yes, I loved it.

I'm going to tag a few people to do this meme. If you want to do this one, feel free to snag it for yourself. And if you're like me and feel like you're chasing your tail at times, feel free NOT to do this. Tag somebody else or not, your choice.

drumroll, please...

DOUG GOT THE JOB! WOOHOO! YIPEE! HALLELUJAH! SHONDAI!

Thanks to all who prayed! When I stop crying and can think clearly, I'll really post.

Anticipation...Anticipa-ya-tion is makin' me wait!

My dear hubs rolled out of bed this morning before God was even up yet. He was headed out to Houston for the third, and yea final, round of interviews for a new job. It's one of those gauntlet processes where he will have four interviews today. Lord, help the boy! No, we're not moving again (bite your tongue!), that's just where the company is located. He would be the district sales rep over Oklahoma and part of Arkansas. This is a position for which he is particularly suited and trained, and it represents a significant increase in pay and benefits. GO GOD!

In other news, our middler is moved in at ORU and having a BLAST! I hope she studies and goes to class in between all the fun. After protesting that she would TOO come home every weekend, and teach Sunday school this quarter, she has now decided that she will probably be unavailable to teach at all. Not a surprise. It was just the separation anxiety talking.

My vacation - though much too short - was rather productive. I FINALLY completed my duvet cover...a project nearly ten years in the making! It's a really LONG story in which I am frustrated with my husband for long periods of time. So I won't be sharing it. Also, we cleaned out the garage! I am parking my CAR in the GARAGE! Have you people ever heard of such a thing? It's truly a first for the Funny family.

Late Breaking Bulletin - I just received a call from the youngest that he made callbacks for the school play! One of only 3 freshment to do so! The move has been a much rougher transition for him than we anticipated, so I've been praying for an opening. Apparently, confident 14 yr. old Texans aren't well received elsewhere. He has a great deal of acting experience, so maybe this will do the trick.

That's all I know for now. Pray for my hubs, folks!

Slowly I turn...step by step...inch by inch

It seems I've lived my life tapping my foot and looking at my watch. "Get ON with it!" has been my motto. I can see myself at the Pearly Gates, rolling my eyes as St. Peter struggles to find the right key. I'm not saying this is right, mind you, just the way I'm wound a little too tightly. The world in general, and the church in particular feel mired in bureaucracy and red tape. It's a myopic viewpoint, I admit. Perspective on how others have had to wait on me is curiously and sadly MIA. Admonitions to "take it easy" and "enjoy the journey" fall on deaf ears. Surely this is why God brings me around Mt. Sinai again and again. I suppose He's waiting on me.

Hubs got a call for a second interview! YAY! It will be a phone interview on Friday, 9 am CST for you pray-ers out there. If he passes that one, there will be a face-to-face down in Houston. (MORE WAITING!) Are you sensing a pattern here? NAH!

I have the whole week off starting Monday! My sweet friend Lori is coming to spend the week helping me get my act together. I fear the week will pass all too quickly, as I'll be moving my middle child into the dorm on Monday, and catching up with my sewing and decorating the rest of the week. My youngest starts high school next Thursday, but thankfully we've already done our shopping for school clothes. He can get by with the supplies we have here at the house until we get ALL the lists from ALL the teachers.

I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. HAH! A girl can dream, right?

It's Like Some Kind of Miracle!

Three, THREE posts in one week! I think I'm gonna have to sit down; I'm feelin' faint! BTW, Hubs job interview went very well and it's a great position. Now, let the waiting game begin.

Really, it's just a meme, but I thought I'd shock everybody with the torrent o' postin' around here.

Four jobs I've held:
1. voice teacher
2. assistant to Lisa Whelchel
3. writer
4. counselor

Four movies I can watch over and over again:
1. As Good As It Gets
2. My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding
3. White Christmas
4. Gone With The Wind

Four places I've lived:
1. Irving, Texas
2. Portland, Oregon
3. Evergreen, Colorado (briefly)
4. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Four TV shows I watch:
1. CSI
2. Monk
3. The Office
4. And I absolutely will not miss House

Four places I've been on vacation:
1. the Bahamas
2. All over the Rocky Mountains in Colorado
3. Cozumel, Mexico
4. New Orleans

Four of my favorite foods:
1. chicken fajitas with a LOT of cilantro and raw onions
2. shrimp anything
3. my husband’s rib eye steak
4. yeast rolls

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Evergreen, Colorado
2. the Bahamas
3. Vinita, Oklahoma
4. Ireland

Four websites I visit:
1. www.biblegateway.com for...well, everything
2. www.rhapsody.com for compiling my song list for worship
3. Internet Movie Database – www.imdb.com
4. Mary Engelbreit – www.maryengelbreit.com

Hope Springs Eternal

It's funny, you know (well, not funny "ha, ha" but funny, odd), how after a series of disappointments you tell yourself not to get your hopes up. That way you won't feel so crushed if things don't work out. And yet, God created us as a people of hope. It's at the very core of our beings. God forbid should we actually kill that hope within us! "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory," Colossians 1:27 (NIV).

That's the challenge, isn't it? Remaining pliable when every instinct says to "toughen up, build a wall." It's impossible to remain vulnerable but not beaten, without the Lord. He's always calling us to stretch, to open up, to risk, to give...to love.

Doug has another interview today at 1 for a position he is well equipped to do. We don't yet know what it pays, and that is the key. He is excited about it and so am I, kinda. I guess I'm self-protecting, which is the same as not trusting.

I've been concerned about school starting in two weeks and how we'll pay for my daughter's books (much less dorm room essentials, and school clothes and supplies for both her and her brother). A few books have shown up in the used realm, and I've snatched them up so fast your head would spin. But there are still some left to buy new because 1) the latest edition is absolutely necessary (ha!) and 2) it's for a class exclusive to this school. Note the sarcasm - I see it as a gift, but God - not so much. Still, He is faithful. I just received a call from my mom saying she was sending a check to help. She's a great mom!

This week the kids are at church camp. God was faithful there, too. Roxanne is interning, which paid for her trip, and Zach got a scholarship. YAY! I know God has amazing things for them this week and I'm excited to see it! I hate missing camp, but it just wasn't possible this year. I love family camp!

Well, that's all the news from Lake Wobegone. Pray for Doug today, please!

Some bloggy love

I'm just stopping for a quick note to encourage all 5 1/2 of you who read me, to visit my daughter's blog The New Me at dastardlystar.blogspot.com . She has written twice in the last week or so and is worth the read. Besides, she could use the support about now.

Beth Moore has nothing to worry about!

It's Tuesday, and I've just about recovered from preaching on Sunday. Wow, it was...surreal, amazing, draining! Next time you try to talk to your pastor after church, just don't expect it to register. At times it was almost an out-of-body experience...other times I felt like Bob in What About Bob, "I'm preaching! I'm a preacher!" while lashed to the pulpit. I almost didn't make it through my final prayer, I was so overcome with emotion. That has everything to do with the message the Lord gave to me:

God Is Faithful
a) to redeem what was sold - Hosea 1:2 and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
b) to restore what was lost - Joel 2:25, the story of Job, and the story of C.S. Lewis
c) to revive what has died - Genesis 18:10-12 and 21:1-2

Pretty close to home, huh? I finished up by singing (acapella) "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" by Stuart Townend:

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

God is in the Storm

Welcome to the longest post ever. I promise it's worth the reading. Happy 4th of July!

WOW! I received a Rockin' Girl Blogger award from Bev at Scratchin' the Surface! That is SO COOL! THANK YOU! Here's what she had to say, "I've met her once, liked her immediately, wish I could meet with her weekly to fix all that ails me. She's genuine to the core, funny, smart. She's like the Energizer Rabbit - she just doesn't quit no matter how tough it gets."

You never really know how you impact others. There have been two wilderness times in my life: now and 20 years ago in Oregon. In both times when I was just struggling to put one foot in front of the other and hold on to Jesus with what little strength I had, God was using me to impact others. It was not anything I was conscious of at the time, so I can certainly not take credit for it. Even through the fulfillment of my dream of going back to school - I was inspiring others. Go figure.

I just have to share with you the amazing story of last week. A couple of years ago my church put together a cd, "Hymns of Our Faith," to give out at a community event. For the most part it was a family project as my nephew and his wife, my niece and her husband, my mom, my sister-in-law, my friend Lauren and I did an "unplugged" version of several hymns. I haven't thought much about that cd - I've given out a couple, but raised in a Pentecostal/Baptist home, it felt a lot like showing off, which is not good! That kinda goes against my love for the stage, so you can imagine my constant inner conflict.

Anyway, I received this email from my brother (the pastor) last week:

Dear Pastor Hulet,
I am an Active Duty Navy Chaplain, ordained through the Assemblies of God, presently serving as the Senior Officer Chaplain at Camp Bucca, Iraq. Camp Bucca is the largest Detention Facility in the world for Detainees. We have over double digit thousands here. The mission is difficult, tension filled, and fatiguing.
So , when I rummaged through a drawer, I found the CD: Hymns of Our Faith. The following words quickened my spirit and spoke to my weary soul:
"These songs are meant to offer a moment of peace and reflection in a world of stress and distraction."
I just finished a pastoral care counseling with a service member who received the news that his wife, pregnant at 8 1/2 months with their 3rd child, experienced a fetal demise. The devastation is indescribable.
The Hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness ministered to him and to me in ways I will never be able to articulate. Please thank Lisa Taylor, the vocalist on that hymn, on our behalf.
I don't know how this CD made it clear to Camp Bucca, Iraq but I am sure glad that it did. Mission accomplished! Thank you for your ministry and foresight to let the rich theology of these great hymns of the church speak life, liberty and strength to weary souls.
I salute you.

Peace,

Chaplain Louis Rosa

I replied to Chaplain Lou:
I received your kind words about the song I sang, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," on the Hymns of Our Faith cd. It is amazing how God uses things we do in ways we can never imagine. I am so blessed to know that I was able to encourage and minister to someone through what I love doing the most. I often wonder what I could be doing to support our troops in such a difficult time - and now found that in some small way I have.

Please send my condolences to this service member in this time of loss. I have also lost a child, and know how painful it is. I'm certain it must be so difficult for him to not be with his wife to grieve and comfort.

I also am a counselor, and know that it can be difficult to lay down the burden at the end of the day. I'll be praying for you and for this man and his family. May God bring a swift end to this unrest, establish stable and strong leadership in Iraq, and bring you all home safely.

Lisa

His reply was even more amazing, and I offer it today for anyone who has loved ones in the military at this difficult time:

Lisa,

I look fwd to meeting you one day. Your gift of music is more than a gift; it is the voice of Christ extended.

Your prayers and gift of music is more than sufficient to demonstrate your support of the troops. This is a very difficult environment for a host of reasons. However, the God of peace which surpasses all understanding is in the midst of it all. Your singing is proof positive of that.

The serviceman in question is home with his bride. We got him off on a bird as soon as it was available. He is now comforting his wife and they are beginning the process of good grief.

I am very sorry for your loss. The loss of a child is indescribably painful. I hope that you are able to practice the type of pain management that allows you to get on with life and own your grief at the same time.

In my 15 years of active duty, 10 years as a chaplain with the US Marines, I have seen a lot of death, destruction and devastation i.e. Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq (2004-2005) and now. I am confident that Genesis 1:2 is true: 'And the world was without form and void and the Spirit of God brooded upon the face of the waters.' God is in the chaos. I guess that is why I have always, with no exception, felt perfect peace even in the midst of some of the worse firefights seen in Iraq. We went through the battle for Fallujah during my last deployment. We sent 31 of our young Marines home in body bags and over 200 critically wounded. I know Christ was in the chaos.

Keep your gift flowing. It has reached the far ends of the earth. I play the CD often. Sometimes I play it while the troops enter the chapel for worship. Plz convey my thanks to Jenni, Lauren, Erica and Maurietta for their consecration and dedication to praise and worship.

Michelangelo once said that if the general public knew how hard he labored on each piece, it would diminish the magic of his work. I don't understand how difficult it is to make a great cd. If knowing means it will diminish it's beauty plz don't tell me. I want to appreciate it for what it is.

I look fwd to keeping in touch.

Peace,

Lou

If you know someone who would be encouraged by reading this note from Chaplain Lou, please pass it along.

It's a Restaurant Meme

We have weathered yet another family crisis since my last post. I don't have enough perspective to post about it yet - it involves others and I don't want to uncover anyone as I pour out my own heart. I consider my life an open book, ask me anything, but it's not fair to open other's books. So, I'll just do a meme and give you a little update.

My oldest has moved back home. It's a good thing as far as I can tell. My middle has her first boyfriend and I'm trying not to overrun her excitement with my own. Perhaps I'm a little over-involved here. It's just so much fun seeing that happen and remembering how it felt. We're getting all the last minute preparations done for sending her off to college - 4 miles away. I wanted her to experience the whole college shebang, and she's all for it. The youngest is daily removing more skin and blood on his skateboard, and has finally passed me in height. Not that I'm an Amazon at 5'4", but it was a big step for him.

My big news is 1) a cd produced back in Texas, on which I sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", found its way to Iraq, where apparently it is ministering to our troops. See, I got an email from the chaplain there telling me about it. How neat to know that something I love to do is an encouragement to weary and discouraged soldiers. 2) I'll be preaching in a couple of weeks. For the first time. To the whole congregation. *gulp* My pastor will be in Israel for our denominational convention and has asked me to fill in the first Sunday. Wow. Pray. And for those Baptists out there - it will be o.k. trust me. it's an eternal security thing.

On to the meme: 5 favorite local restaurants - Tulsa

1) Los Cabos at Riverwalk Crossing - it's honestly quite difficult to choose a favorite Mexican restaurant because I love this food so much I could eat it everyday. Unless I was in Colorado, because theirs is just weird! This restaurant has a beautiful view of the river, live music, patio seating (when it's not raining - 18 of the last 26 days!), and fabulous food. I also love Abuelo's for its avocado enchiladas and los mejores de la casa, but it's a chain - not local.

2) Rib Crib - technically this is a chain, but it's based in Tulsa, so there. Great b-b-q at excellent prices. I love me some b-b-q.

3) Mekong River - fresh, tasty Vietnamese food in a clean, if sparse atmosphere. This is the real thing and if you haven't had this kind of food before, take a friend who has.

4) Bellacino's - great, but pricey grinders. so good and so big, I guess if you split one you might not see it as pricey.

5) Goldie's - The best hamburgers evah! This is an Oklahoma chain that started in Tulsa. These burgers are so good my husband, the king of "with everything," eats them straight-up.

There you have it! Have a happy Independence Day!

Satisfaction, however fleeting and only two weeks between posts!

It was one of those times, when the planets are aligned, and all is right with the world...

We all come into marriage with these vignettes of ideal marriageosity tucked away in our hearts. Formed by tv or movies, parental example or in contrast to it, expectations major or minor, that are quite often unexpressed to the one most involved in the fulfillment or disappointment of them.

I think I may have shared that the middle (read: 10 years bracketed by the first 3 years, and the ones after), were very difficult in my marriage. As in, please God take me to Heaven, because I can't think of any other way to deal with this much unhappiness. Literally. We held on like shipwreck victims to the last piece of plywood in the ocean - sometimes paddling in the direction of land, sometimes paddling in different directions - getting nowhere, and sometimes just letting the waves carry us out of sheer exhaustion.

We made it to land eventually, collapsing on the beach and lying there until we could find the strength to begin rebuilding. Now, so grateful that neither one of us let go and slipped into the ocean. We are older, hopefully wiser, somewhat worse for wear, but determined as only those who have come through this can be.

So...a precious moment popped up last night without warning - subtle enough that I might have missed it. One of those vignettes...we cooked together. Even now I tear up over something so trivial to most. He grilled chicken and corn on the cob, I made the green beans, new potatoes, and iced tea. We ate together in the living room in peace (the kids are all out of town). Took care of the details - I put away the food and gathered up the trash, he did the dishes and we headed to bed where he rubbed my poor diabetic feet like he does every night. Such precious sweetness. So close to never happening. Today I am satisfied.