A Sad Day at the Masterino Aquarium

The Masterino household has just exercised its right to enact capital punishment. To quote Bob, "the fish swims with the fishes."

For the last two months we had only one fish. We started with three. Two mollies and one beast. PetSmart was not smart. Mollies are nice fishes and leporinus fasciatus are, well - cannibals. Our fish went from a colorful inch long bullet to a three inch barbarian killing and eating the other two. Uck.

Tonight when I picked up filters, I thought I would give our little aquarium another occupant that fell into the "semi-aggressive" category - a pretty golden gourami that equals or exceeds "Barrabus" in size.

Poppy-kosh. Semi-aggressive my behind. The new fish was in the tank for 10 minutes when it was clear there would be no peace in our time. Barrabus was still a beast in stripes and this other fish was going to be eaten alive.

Bob was the first to suggest euthanasia. I was not enthused. So we let them swim for another few hours. Things did not improve. At all. My stress level was on the rise.

I got mad. It was going to be over before tomorrow if we didn't do something about it.

So. 20 minutes later with water and plastic plants in aquatic chaos, Barrabus met the net and then the throne of death. At first I was hesitant - then I was angry and just made a mess. Bob did the deed and I started clean up.

So now, Barrabus sleeps with the fishes and the doo-doo and will meet the professionals of the MTSA - McCandless Township Sewage Authority. And JF - Jesus Fish - is swimming peacefully in replanted plastic plants and clouds of raked up poo.

Ain't nature grand.

Grandma's Hands

This picture above came from a beautiful email that Marianne sent to me a few days ago. It was entitled Grandma's Hands. It told of a woman whose hands tolf of a lifetime of helps and hurts. And that as she grew old, she pondered that these were the same hands that her Savior would lift her up with. I think the picture just tells a million stories. After some thought, I have included the email below.

Grandma's Hands

I was privileged to take a photo of 'Five Generations of Women'shortly before my 93 year-old Grandmother passed away last year. The photo, shown below, features the hands of my Grandmother, Mom, Sister, Niece and Great-Niece. While I can't take credit for the idea, I was so happy to have had the suggestion & capture this moment. It inspired a friend of mine to do something similar which turned out so beautiful and a special keepsake prior to her father's passing.

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?' I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.

No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.

'I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.'

The Tabernacle completed

Yesterday was our final session in our study of the Tabernacle. I have learned so much about how intricately God has planned every detail. From His heavenly home and the images there He has provided the Garden of Eden, the tabernacle, the temples, and the fullness of Christ so we may know what awaits us when we are home and eventually in eternity. Much like our study of Daniel with Beth Moore, this study was less about us and more about our God and the care He took in each and every detail. WHAT COMFORT!!!

Not too long ago someone (I can't recall who) mentioned that the Word of God is a complete history of thousands of years from Creation to Revelation in such a relatively small book. Our God is a Trinity of relatively few words. This means that every last detail of the Bible has a specific purpose in it's inclusion. To think we only have one short lifetime to understand the layers of meaning to this is an honor with such a current of excitement!

This study helped reinforce that "A Woman's Heart" truly is "God's dwelling place." And as painful as it is to admit, I've not been kind of late to my spiritual heart because my body is out of balance and this was a personal point of wow for me. God gave us fewer rules in the Church Age but gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us through the Christian life. He meant for that guidance to be in all things - not just compartmentalized. That was an honor and a responsibility that was not available to the Old Testament believers in the land of Israel. And in understanding that, I have a responsibility to live it.

God is truly amazing and I am so thankful for the learning and the growing I did through his Word. But in addition, I had the pleasure of growing with a group of women that broadened my perspective and encouraged in prayer beyond my wildest expectations.

June starts a brand new study - When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. Can't wait.

Biggest Loser!

Well, I think God brought the answer. We are doing a weight loss competition/ support thing at work starting Monday. I want to do some praying about this but I am excited to start. I think the accountability and the competition will be a really good support to get me back into exercise and watching food and portions. Mom and Dad started Atkins and I'm going to go with that as the basic structure since it has worked for me in the past. It's been a long time coming and it's time. I know I can't do it alone so my mentor will be Jesus. I'm going to start the weekend by doing a little cleansing and then I'll be ready Monday. No obsession just self-control and a set of priorities that include God at the very top of my food pyramid. Here goes.....

Thoughts on the Day

- It was a joy to celebrate with Bob as he "went public" with his faith in Jesus Christ.
- Having family there was just awesome. Everyone shared in the wonder at how all of it happened.
- There were smiles all around and tears of joy too. His mom and sister, my mom and sister, me. All crying as we sang "My chains are gone, I've been set free...." He's a different guy than a year ago.
- Having 35 people at my house to eat was not as bad as I thought. Then again, the weather cleared up in time for everyone to be able to sit outside comfortably. Later, the kids and the band even played ball in the yard for awhile.
- It was awesome that our two families came together through a love of Bob and through God to heal some of the wounds that seemed permanent just a few years ago.
- Marianne was amazing as always. She spoke with my family about Nana and her own loss of her mom less than a year ago. Then later sat with Bob's mom. She should have been a counselor. :) I can attest to it myself and now she's moving on to our families......... And there is comfort that it all comes from her being centered in God.
- People really seemed to enjoy themselves. Everyone stayed for at least a little while and relaxed and talked and ate.
- The food held up pretty well. We have A LOT leftover of some things but that's okay.
- Everyone had gone by 2 and I had cleaned up the most of it by 3:30. Life returns to normal. But not really.......

Things will be different for our eternity now. Not perfect, not without trial, not without pain. But better - full of hope and growing closer to our Savior while growing closer to each other. I still don't know what to say about that. I've been waiting all my life for that and it's like starting brand new after 10 years. Who would have thought that the next big milestone after our marriage problems was BAPTISM!!! Not me. I can't wait to see what He has in store for us next!!

Perfect, Bob is not but so much. The man I can love and respect that with the help of his Heavenly Father can stand before all those folks and declare before them that Jesus Christ has hold of his life..... That was as much love I could hold in my heart at that moment - and what I could not hold in my heart spilled out in tears..... I love you, Bob because God first loved us......

More pictures and video

Bob and the band do a little I am Free.

Pastor Tommy's intro to the ceremony....

And the one we've all been waiting for.....

Baptism closing from Pastor Jeff

And the winner is... Jesus Christ!!

Despite all predictions, God prevailed over the weather and all else today!!! I can't even begin to explain how awesome today was. Friends, family all sharing a love of God and a love for Bob. I was so filled with joy that words escape me.... Yes, you read correctly. Let the pictures and the video speak for God's amazing grace today!

Check out Pastor Jeff Mousa's post for today for some additional pictures and comments.
http://mousa.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/baptism-pictures/
http://mousa.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/sunday-icc-3/

By the way....

The forecast for tomorrow appears to be forcing us indoors - low 60s with a 70-80% chance of rain. I ran into Dolly Duke, Iron City Church's own version of Mother Church, while I was out shopping. She pointed out that Satan tends not to like these types of celebrations and so we'd just have to manage. Earlier in the week, I decided to let God handle it. He was either going to make the weather right or fix His child's heart so that I wasn't caring. He did the latter. Thanks to an cleaning machine of a husband, we got everything arranged downstairs to accomodate an indoor party! He is good - all the time!

All Ready!

Well, the food is purchased and prepared. The house is clean and reorganized. And Bob is all astir with the excitement of tomorrow.... It's the big day of his baptism and so many will be there to share that. My fridges both look like they should ALL the time :) Check out our progress.....

I won't show you the closets, garage or spare room where things are not so arranged..... :) And the beer is not baptism fare.... :)

He walked into the room at one point today and said he had no idea how Tommy was going to dunk him. He's not the only one wondering I bet :) Then again, this whole thing has been quite a wonder and a testimony to the tremendous power of the Lord.

He's so excited to have Molly and Sarah see him play tomorrow. He's said that several times (I plan on telling them that tomorrow.) There are so many parts to look forward to. Mom and Dad and the Kimptons coming to worship with us. The Baptism. The coming together of two families once torn apart by trial. All amazing.

I can't wait. And for those of you unable to make it - I will be posting pictures and video tomorrow so you can share in the joy.

5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Midwest!

Okay it was centered about 260 miles South and slightly west of my beloved sister and her family but we Midwestern folk don't often experience anything like that!!! I mean - hey - it's not California!!!

And it was at 4:37 in the morning - so it might have gone unnoticed. So I emailed Carrie this morning to see whether they felt it and here was her response:

"Very freaky. I did wake up. I turned on my light first to yell at Dagny to stop scratching and shaking the dresser. Then I thought it was Emma or Hope having to go potty and banging on the pocket door. I got out of bed to see if I could locate the hiding child. Then as I looked and looked, I noticed that the neighbor was leaving for work, so I guess I thought that the bass on his truck was so loud that it was shaking the house, but I didn't actually hear it. I was a bit fuzzy since it was 4:30 in the morning.

I went back to bed thinking I was having one of my dream-reality episodes-a la bugs on my blanky-mice in my bed-falcon on the ceiling fan."

That's okay - I once had a witch on my bedside table that Bob tells me I yelled at.......:)

Anyway, that's something you don't expect in Indiana or PA but I know they've happened here too. Part of history - part of my new blogging life :)

Lessons on Attack

Yesterday Bob realized that Satan was getting dirty with his strategy. Particularly so with his baptism upcoming. It was a day of mixed blessings. See my post from yesterday for an update on Nana.

I'm not sure if I had ever really considered that Satan would bother with me until the last several years. I recall someone once told me in my ugliest times that if I didn't believe that Satan was capable of kicking me when I was down, I wasn't reading my Bible closely enough. And if he'll kick you when you're down he's sure not going to hesitate when you're on the rise.

I think it's a little bit like being so in the Word that you get what God's trying to tell you. You hear him better because the Holy Spirit literally resonates better with what's in your soul. With doctrine and truth inside, it literally vibrates inside us when God is trying to tell us something. And when Satan is after us - that has a feeling all its own. Whatever the opposite of resonance is - like cringing at a bad chord because you KNOW it doesn't go.

Then I read the entry for yesterday in Beth Moore's Breaking Free Day by Day:

2 Corinthians 11:3
I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted from a complete and pure devotion to Christ.

She points out that Paul was saying here that the simile here is as/like - in the same way. Satan pursues us here just like he pursued Eve. It is not man we fight against - it is principalities and powers of darkness.

Give him hell, Bob. You've been adopted into the Royal Family of God.

A Day of Blessing and Tests

This morning God really spoke to Bob. We talked briefly before I left for work and I was overwhelmed. I just had this wonderful feeling that Bob was finally in a place where he could sometimes be my support. Check out his blog for details:

http://bobmasterino.blogspot.com/2008/04/under-attack.html

Then later on this afternoon I had a wonderful conversation with Bob's mom. Nothing extraordinary just loving and encouraging from both sides. I've missed that.

Then I made some calls to yellowpages.com. I've been working on the contract he signed for advertising. In 6 weeks, he's not received one referral from it. When I first decided to call I toyed with the idea of stretching the truth or being belligerent to try and convince them to cancel the contract. And I was compelled - by a rather convincing source {read God} that I should just be totally honest and let it up to God to do whatever was His will. I spoke with our rep. He respected my honesty but could not do much because of policy. However, he did give me the phone number for his supervisor. I spoke with him this evening. Although nothing has been decided, there's at least a chance. They were receptive to our dilemma and will be reviewing it with the supervisor above him. There's no explanable reason that he is getting no calls. It should have worked - but perhaps that wasn't what God had in mind. The fact that no one knows why this isn't working is very telling. So we'll just have to wait in faith. That one is kind of a blessing and test of faith at once.

Then the test. Emily called tonight in crisis. Nana is hallucinating because of an infection and it is tearing everyone up inside. Emily is having a hard time because Nana thinks that everyone is conspiring against her. I spoke with Nana for a few moments and prayed with her. And it was bad - it didn't appear to help but God works in His own time. The whole situation is just so painful. Daddy was just getting there when Emily hung up. If you read this, please pray for all of them. Nothing like this is easy.

UPDATE: I talked with Dad this morning and got an email from Em. Nana settled down about 11 last night. Emily laid in bed with her after she hesitantly took a Ativan. She felt like she had a terribly vivid nightmare. I think Emily felt the same way. Keep praying for Emily and Dad and Nana. They are on the frontlines on this one and are taking turns being pretty battleworn.

Sadness

Yesterday was a sad day for a very close friend and her family. Months ago my friend came to work with wonderful news that her sister was having twins. She asked for prayer for her sister and her family that all would go smoothly.

Friday, complications arose after a little more than four months and Sunday, their family mourned the loss of both precious baby boys. We cried together as she told me. Friday I sent out emails to my family and friends requesting prayer for them. And then Monday, I sent the request for a change in their prayers - and it was so hard.

This weekend our family celebrated the twins 5th birthday. Five years ago, we were all scared because "the babies" were born too early. Time has worn away my memory of the frightening details but there was apprehension. "The babies" were in the NICU for weeks. Emily spent night after night in the hospital with them, praying for their health. We waited for news that it would all turn out okay. It did and on April 13 each year we can celebrate that we were blessed with Ben and Grace.

And so, when I think of this family and the loss they must be feeling, I am overwhelmed. Our lives would not be the same without those two amazing children.

God has a purpose for everything. And though my friend has cried out to her Father asking why, she knows that He has a reason. Please pray for them. Their hearts are heavy and tired. Pray they will find rest in Him.

Outlook for Sunday

Cloudy with a chance of a brand new life!!! Bob's baptism is scheduled for Sunday and the preliminary forecast is partly cloudy in the high 60s with a 30% chance of rain. With thirty or so folks headed for Casa De Masterino, let's hope for highest of 60s and some sun so people can mingle outside and the kids can play!!! Believe God can change a life? Then some good weather to top off a week of being able to have the energy to get a bunch done is nothing!!

First Time Swapping and Hopping!!!!

UPDATE: Here are some photos of the room in question. Oh, the humanity......

http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2008/04/organization-swap-and-hop.html



This is my first time participating in one of the Swap and Hop thingies. So for anyone that is reading this that doesn't get what I'm doing. Let me explain to the best of my ability. Lysa Terkeurst has a blog that I read daily. And today, she is challenging everyone to share their biggest organizational challenge by blogging on it and then creating a link on her blog to your "issue."

So here's my organizational issue - I love ya honey, but - Bob. His two main areas of dwelling/responsibility are the home office and the garage. And I've just kind of let them go. But it seems like our house is getting smaller and smaller...... But I'll choose the home office.

Here's the deal with the room. I'll try and post some photos later. The home office is a small room that is - here goes - our computer room, business center for his electrician business, clothes storage and music room. And much like other posts I saw, the hard thing is getting things put away. Things never get put away because there isn't a place for them. Honestly, I haven't tried much in there. A bout a year ago I hung a plastic shoe rack on the door for organizing bills. I thought he wasn't using it until the other day when I put a bill on the desk and he scolded me. I was actually really pleased.

Other than that - it's just intimidating. Sometimes I avoid the computer all together because of it. He'll appreciate it.... I just don't know where to start. Clothes stacked on the dresser, CDs stacked on shelves, bills piled on the desk..... HELP!

http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2008/04/organization-swap-and-hop.html

Check out her blog and the others. Her's was the first blog that I started reading regularly and I guess it inspired both Bob and I to become bloggers!!!

Sometimes it's clear what God is doing

The other day, I got an email that freaked me out. I've struggled for the last several months with my service role at church for a number of reasons. And just over the last several weeks, I've found a sort of balance. And this email, took my anxiety up a few notches. Frustration over organization, feeling like ideas are too easily dismissed, and anxiety over increased responsibility in the midst of that. I must have started a reply 10 times before I prayed and another 6 times after. I finally came up with a lengthy response that I thought was appropriate. I was calm about the situation when the right words finally came. I sent the email.

When I returned to my sent mail a short time later to reread what I wrote - I was surprised. There was no email.

I will admit that more than once during composition, I considered whether email was the right forum to address any of this. But when the words finally came after struggling, I thought, "Okay, this must be the right direction." It was. But somehow God must have felt I needed the release of the writing and not the sending of the email. Needless to say, I did not rewrite the email. God may not always speak clearly to me in words but He certainly can shout some things loud and clear in His own way.

UPDATE: My email did go and things turned out okay. God provides a way to make everything right. Right for His will. I'll be teaching a reasonable number of times and to be part of the meeting and seeing that things are coming together. Things aren't so bad and again a message that I'm supposed to connect with others so that I don't assume to know all there is to know. And much to my chagrin, I discover after I connect that I have a peace. That setting boundaries is not wrong and getting upset is not God.

A blast from the past

The other night I got the strangest call. One of the teachers I had taught with from Berryhill in North Carolina called me. She called to pick my brain about the careers that I had before and after teaching. I talked to her for a good long time. It brought back memories of how absolutely miserable I was while teaching because she is just as absolutely frustrated with her career now as I was back then - probably more. I let her know how much happier I am now than before and I encouraged her to see what else is out there for her. I'm confident having been a teacher if you can do that - you are skilled to do most any kind of multi-tasking private sector job. Lots of things require that kind of coordination and organization. Maybe a break from teaching would lead her back to the job - maybe not.

I got off the phone and from the moment I got off, I was kicking myself. God never does anything by coincidence. And in those 45 minutes or so on the phone, I had never shared the one reason that my life is better. Maybe it was fear, maybe I was kicked back to that time in my life when I was only at shouting distance from God's power in my life. Regardless of the reason, I felt compelled to let her know the true reason for my life's dramatic improvement - the power and the peace that only Jesus Christ can bring. So the next morning, I wrote an email. I'm sorry to say that it bounced back to me unable to be delivered. I tried again several times to an altered email address and even just tried to resend to the same one a few moments before starting this post. I hope it goes through. But if it doesn't, I have learned a great lesson. God never does anything by coincidence and I have an opportunity. I'm going to take it and step out there.

Irony to anyone else?

I was driving to work one day this week and saw the strangest combination of car advertisements. A car in front of me had a Central Warriors (I think that was it - it was was whoever their mascot was) sticker on the window - Central Catholic. Then near the bumper was a Darwin fish symbol. I know - you don't have to be a catholic to send your kid to school there but still a very confused message....

Will the real Nana please come forward….

From Emily 4/7/08:

“Everything is pretty ok here for now. I had Nana come out of her room today for the entertainment. She was out for 45 minutes without her oxygen on. She did ok and seemed to have fun. She even had strawberry short cake - all of it! Here is the real kicker to show you she is not herself (though it is a good ‘not herself’) - she had curlers in her hair! I put a scarf on her but 3 months ago she would have been horrified! She did not care. Aunt Becky thinks the ativan is helping her ‘break free” from what was holding her back and that now she is being more like her mother was - which was funny and silly and having fun. Yesterday we took her for a ride in the car. She did not hold her face once. We should have had her on 4mg of ativan for years. E”

God has reasons for allowing her to stay with us for now. :)

Shaken

Today I am like a fizzy can of pop. I keep getting shaken up and I keep praying that God calms me so I don’t blow. Just little things. Just little questions in my head

“It isn’t fair that I don’t have kids – or money.”
“That isn’t fair that the rules don’t apply to her.”
“You’re going to say the wrong things and he’ll be angry.”
“You’re never going to make it through this.”
“If only I had done better at keeping a handle on this and such – maybe we wouldn’t …..”

They are just little things but they are making my insides burn. All of them are answered in

1Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

“It isn’t fair that I don’t have kids – or money.” I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU
“That isn’t fair that the rules don’t apply to her.” I WORK IN FAITH NOT FAIR
“You’re going to say the wrong things and he’ll be angry.” THE LOVE OF THE LORD ENDURES
“You’re never going to make it through this.” PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE
“If only I had done better at keeping a handle on this and such – maybe we wouldn’t …..” THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU CONTROLLING ANYTHING. I NEED TO BE THE ONE IN CONTROL

If I can just keep those in the front of my head- I will be okay. Father I know this to be true but only in Christ. Amen

Great day at ICC

Today was a really good day at church. Beautiful weather, a great message and a huge cheering section for Bob! I arrived with a spring in my step - just a little perkier than normal and found many in the same spirits. The buzz in the cafe lobby was really invigorating with so many folks there. We are moving to a new level of attendance - 63 people today - very exciting. I was actually looking forward to possibly running the visuals this week and voila' - my prayer was answered. I was on and things went relatively stress free if not smoothly!

Bob had a great day too. His dad made the effort to come and see him play. If you could only have seen how that made him feel.... Bill came too so he really did have his own section. God is doing amazing things through him. And he felt like he had his best playing day ever! I think he does great every week so I'm biased. I never hear any mistakes he makes. They were rough on a few songs as a band but I'll tell you - he should always go to concerts just to keep his feet moving! He was really up there playing his heart out for God. The second time they played the song "We Stand" was awesome!! Bob was psyched and Neil really got the crowd riled up. If you want to hear crowd reaction, check out last week's first few seconds of the podcast. You can hear the reaction people had to the song.

http://www.ironcitychurch.com/downloads.html

All this leading up to his baptism day. What a day! I'm really excited about it.

Some more photos

More confetti
The history of the band done on the catwalk.
Rising catwalk drums
Stage drums begin to rotate. See video in first post.

I love that Christ is not just a side order in their show. It's the main course. The song "I am Free" was the song they ended at both concerts.

And I love that the last words of the concert are

"I am free. The price has been paid."

Go Tour

Friday night I took Bob to his first Christian concert - at least his first as one of The Family :).

What a great time!!! Great music, great message and I got to share it with a great guy. Thanks twice to my sister Carrie and the Slusser family, I saw them in Indiana and thought Bob would really enjoy it. Carrie and I were talking about his birthday and I let her know that I was thinking about taking him to see them. They pitched in for his birthday and we decided to do it!! I thought the Newsboys put on a great show and I thought he'd appreciate it. And indeed he did!

http://bobmasterino.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-try-something-newagain.html Check out his preconcert and post concert reactions. Very impressive:)!

Article One's lead strings - a violin. I just love watching musicians that LOVE what they do.

Rush of Fools does "You Are," the song that he and the band did at church a month or so before.

Newsboys come out to "Shine" and two cannons full on confetti!! It was awesome being on the floor so close to all the action.
REALLY close when you consider the catwalk! Row G!

We just loved it. We had an awesome date night for sure! Thanks, Carrie, Dan, Emma and Hope!! And thanks to our Father who made the sharing possible on all fronts!!!

Newsboys Drum Stunt

It keeps getting loaded sideways because I took it sideways - that'll teach me not to do that. Oh and make sure to turn your sound down - the drums are irritating on the video. :)

Good lunch, good people, great strength

I had a great lunch with my friend today. It's been a long time since we've had a chance to catch up - 6 weeks or more I think. And being around her is just so awesome. I know I am not unique but she makes me feel like we've known each other forever. I tell her things that to most other folks would sound crazy and she gets it. And she is just a brimming optimist. I gain so much every time we get together.

In fact, a short time after I returned, I needed a little bit of that positivity and grace. I needed that energy to smile and know that God was there. It was like I took it out of my pocket and said - yeah, God knew I'd need this :).

Crazy Nana

I don’t know how crazy Nana was in her younger years but one special and recent time of craziness I feel at least partially responsible for. One year, I went for a visit by myself. It was after Popi died and I think I went down there before meeting up with Mom and Dad in the Keys. Anyway, I got down there in the midst of a very rainy season (that would make sense – September is hurricane season.) The ground was saturated and we got a torrential downpour on the day I arrived. We shut ourselves in and waited until it was over (if you know Florida rain not very long – just very, very hard.) I think Aunt Mildred called and said that things were really flooded two streets over. So we peeked our heads out the door of 522C Crooked Lake Lane. The water was halfway up the stop sign post at the end of the street!! Nowhere for the water to run!!

It was long enough ago that I cannot recall exactly how I talked her into this but I wanted to go over and see how bad it was at Aunt Mildred and Uncle Ham’s. And without a canoe, the only way that was going to happen was to take off the shoes, roll up the pantlegs and start a-walking! And you know, if she didn’t want to do it – there would have been no way of talking her into it. So she and I held hands and waded our way across two streets of water up to our knees or more in some places to go exploring together. I think we both laughed at ourselves wondering what ever possessed us to want to put our feet in that water without knowing what was in it. And she did make mention of a woman her age acting so crazy:). The pictures are so clear of her with her pants rolled up and a light jacket on that I almost believe that I have a picture somewhere….. Now I’ll have to go digging and check.

Anyway – that might be my very favorite memory of Nana. I felt like maybe there was something about her that I never knew before. I learned we were more alike than I had once thought. And maybe that was the beginning of the friendship we’ve shared in the years since then.

That’s why I love the funny things she says now. Reminds me of wading in the flood waters with her. :)

Answered Prayer

I should not be in the least bit surprised and yet ……

More than a month ago ART’s only other administrative employee quit. Better opportunity for her. Since I’m it, I would say that initially I was on the verge of panic. Thoughts of late hours, total overwhelm and burn out streaming through my head. This was it in the first ten minutes. Then a wash of calm came over me. I prayed that God would help me to handle things and I remembered that He never gives you more than you can handle. And in the weeks since then, I am astonished at how powerfully He has worked. I’ve had help from my friend Carrie. She’s been here 3 days a week for at least the mornings and once a few additional IT things change, I think I’ll be able to let her go back to working with EIP all except Monday mornings. It’s amazing – faith and peace….

Volume has been relatively low (which wasn't my hope) but call volume is way down and radiologist independence is at an all time high despite both of them squirming at the thoughts of that. And so my calm has been so great! I love talking to clients again. Love to help them through problems. That was one of my concerns. I remembered before that I hated getting calls because I was so stressed that I saw everything as an inconvenience. I prayed because I needed God’s help to NOT turn back into that ugly stress monster. I wanted to be here what I am in the rest of my life – optimistic and happy!!!

And I have it!!! God truly gave me the strength to manage the panic and then the rest followed. Let me remember this next time my first instinct is to freak out…. Someone please remind me! Father let this lesson stay in the front of my cranial rolodex!