Community

Recently, I have been really exposed to a fact of life. You cannot grow without community. People that love you, accept you, and encourage you. People that are not afraid to tell you the truth, but do it because they love you, not to hurt you.

What you do as a member of this community can profoundly affect other people.

Last night, my friends, my community, told me that I had done that. I made a profound difference in their lives. I was not just there for the good times, but words I spoke and actions I took showed them love and truth. It felt so good. I was embarrassed, but proud at the same time.

I have grown, I make a difference, I help others to grow.

Now I cannot wait to grow my community, to get closer to those I love. They help me just as much as I help them. Now I live life the way I do, I wouldn't do it any other way. God is soooooo good!

My life as a dog

After a 13 hour power-outage, and an issue with the internet, I am back online after a long two days. Yesterday, I woke up with no power. This means something dreadful: NO COFFEE. However, by the time I got showered and dressed, I was no longer craving just coffee.

I headed out to a new sandwich shoppe, (okay, new to me) to give it a try. I intended to do reading, but found myself distracted by people and what they were doing, reading, or talking about.

I always have these really good intentions when I start out, but then I see the no dog sign and have to rip it out and carry it around in my mouth (in my life as a German Shepard that is). The sun was out, which lead to more distractions, as I just love a sunny day. I could just imagine life as a dog, laying there watching people pass by, talking on the cell phone before they enter the store, staring at the window to read the menu, sniffing around for dropped sandwich pieces and chips.

I don't think German Shepards read the paper, but I got distracted by the paper because it had an article on the new Pirates movie. Then outside, there was the front page, which I always like to peruse. I don't subscribe to the paper, because then I would never read it, plus all the tree killing. However, I am never opposed to picking up a stray paper and reading it. I guess I could liken this to smelling the crotches of strangers.

When I was sitting inside, there was a gentleman sitting outside. I tried desperately to see what he was reading. Never mind what I wanted to do, what is he reading? Ahh, C.S. Lewis, but I cannot read the title. I wonder what that book is about? I wonder who this man is, why he has an hour in the middle of the afternoon, and why he is reading Lewis. He ordered some type of grilled sandwich, and is drinking a citrus flavored green tea. He is likely in the baby boomer bracket of age from what I can tell. He is also dressed nicely in a sportcoat, but is not wearing a tie. His shoes are black oxford tie ups, and he wears black socks. I forgot to look for a wedding band, its not like I am trying to hook up, but that would show more about who he is.

Ugh, here I am trying to judge a book by his cover, and his book cover (newly acquired from Barnes and Noble with bag to prove it. No other purchases were made that I can tell.) I would dread it if someone did this to me. What do I look like?

Well, I am a German Shepard, and if you get too close and I don't know you-- look out! Okay, I admit, my bark is worse than my bite. I am cuddly, but I shed a bunch. I am loyal and true, my collar is blue, but worn. I am clean and smell good, but I drool a lot. (What do you want, I am in a sandwich shop!?!) I wag my tail, but only around people I know. I am supposed to be chewing my bone, but I get distracted easily. I carry my bone everywhere, and it is well worn to prove it. I know my bone like nobody's business. I want to share my bone with people I love.

If you just got totally confused, well then woof, woof!

Megan has a Rugby face

No, not the sport, the dog. Megan is in love with Rugby, my dad's dog. He is the cutest thing and he has an under bite. So I took this second picture at my wedding, where she is all done up making a rugby face, sticking out her chin and showing off the under bite.

When we were growing up, (puberty was not kind to me) Mom often told me how I had a Tiki face. Now a Tiki is one of those statues we had in our back yard with a horrible grimace on his face. She would always make me jump in the pool when I had a Tiki face. I guess it cooled me off and made me forget my reason for grimacing. (Not that I knew, puberty makes you mad for no reason.)

Now Megan has a Rugby face. She has been battling kidney stones and its painful. I should know, I have had them. But not like Megan. Poor Meggie got overwhelmed with pain today, and was hot, nauseated, and suffering. She could not get comfortable. I remembered my Tiki face. It is gonna be okay, I just wish we had a pool to throw her in. In the meantime, she took pain meds and it was starting to work.

Pray for her if you pray. Thanks.

Back to life

A photograph of me, in Sedona, AZ on my honeymoon! I love it when the skies are blue, the air is clear and I am on vacation. I love it when I recover from feeling like crap and go back to life. The antibiotics are doing their job, and the new inhaler makes a world of difference.

Yesterday, I was able to enjoy my day off! I got to do most of what I planned. First off, Dave got great news from the oral surgeon. He doesn't think Dave needs surgery, and his problem is likely muscular. We were excited because oral surgery for Dave would be a huge deal and lots of pain. Secondly, we finally got to get cat food. The cat had to eat dog food Monday because I was sick and Dave worked a double. I always feel bad when I can't take care of my "kids." Then we went to a dinner to celebrate and recap our year at Brady School for Book Club. It was great, really nice to be social with the people we serve with. Kirsten even blogged about my experience that I shared with you folks earlier on my blog.

Then I got to go to Celebrate the Journey at church. It is great because there is a wonderful bunch of people there whom I love very much. I just know that God is working in all of us to make us better people, and we are all gifts to each other.

Last, but not least, we got grocery shopping done... finally. I always hate watching the total add up, and wiped my head at the register in frustration. I must have been too visible with my frustration, because the checker asked if I was tired. "It has been a long day," I said, trying not to lie. Also, I did three loads of laundry, the dishes, and watched American Idol that I taped. Go Jordin!

It sure is nice to be back to life.

This guy took up residence in my lungs

If you watch any TV you have seen this guy. Mr. Mucus moves in to your lungs and takes up residence. Sometimes he brings his bride, sometimes his son. I want him out.

Today I went to my doctor to get some help. While I have been taking Mucinex, it is not enough. I have bronchitis yet again. Antibiotics are on the way, Dave will pick them up soon from the pharmacy (and also some lunch, which is good, I am hungry.)

I love my doctor. Not in the I want to marry him sense, but in the he gets me sense. Today he brought up one of my all time favorite SNL skits... the Lung Brush! I shared one of my bad jokes using the brand name Biaxin, and he laughed. It doesn't matter if people laugh because the joke is bad, but he laughed. Anyway, he really listens to me and I wish more docs were like him.

Now if only I would listen to him as much as he listens to me.

I am convinced, it is a plague

I called off work, hocked up two gigantic green globs from my lungs. That qualifies me to stay home today. I did however manage to read a fantastic book, which I cannot wait to blog about. However, I want my brain in it. In the meantime, you should figure out which type of sandwich you are. FYI, I still love grilled cheese too!

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Not again...

So I cleaned out the spare room a bit on Wednesday, and yesterday and today, sick. Again!!!! What is up with that? I think my spare room has germs that cause me to get sick. Either that or every time I just get over something, I work in the ER and some kid coughs on me. Dude! Seriously!

I drugged up with some Mucinex-D, and rinsed my sinus passages out. They still continue to ache, and drain and I cough. But, I am NOT going to call in sick again on my weekend to work. I can't do that to the good folks I work with. That, and I will be just as sick as the whole ER. I am going to try to make it through. Wish me luck, pray for me, cross your fingers, send positive thoughts, whatever it is that you do.

In the meantime, I am considering hiring out a flamethrower for the spare room. (Not really, but I scared you didn't I Dave?)

In a completely different arena...

This just in, the Bible is not considered indecent despite rape, incest, sex, and violence. Glad to know that some things are still taken in context. When I was a kid and grounded, I wondered why I could read about two daughters getting their father drunk and raping him to get pregnant. It was the only thing I was allowed to read (the Bible) also it was my mom's funky hip 70s version called "The Way." At least I could understand it. I don't think they still make it, but you would not believe what I found online. Think you can't understand the KJV? Try the KLV Klingon Language Version. Life is too weird. People are too weird.

Something bigger

Things always seem bigger than they really are. I told my co-worker this on Monday, and it really helped us get through the night. I have found that people in general make a big deal out of things that are really nothing. There are so many molehills out there, why do people see mountains?

How come people ignore mountains like poverty and injustice by making them into molehills?

People today make their jobs and cars and homes into mountains, and turn things like family and friends into molehills.

How come society has things backwards? They see themselves as the big dog, and God as the little cat they use for amusement. Why can't they see that God is the something bigger that we really need? We don't need to make Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bigger, we need to make God bigger. He should be our priority, our admiration, not Oprah Winfrey.

My heart aches, because I know that God is my something big, my center, my reason for life. I want the world to know that Jesus is not just for Christmas and Easter, but for every single day. You don't put Him on a shelf and take it out when you run out of other options. Turn to God first, and the rest will follow. Suddenly even true mountains are movable.

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

My last Wednesday off

I finally spent my last Tuesday at work yesterday. Now I will spend my last Wednesday off. This means saying goodbye to my friends at Alpha. Dave will continue to go, that is his thing, and he is an apprentice there. I am choosing to get more involved on Tuesdays at Celebrate the Journey. This is going to mean I end up working 6 days in a row, but it will be worth it. Help me remember that on Mondays at 10 pm when I am aching to go home. Oh yeah, that is what Tuesdays are for. Also, come the fall, I will be able to get more involved with Brady Book Club.

I am making changes in my life because I feel that God wants me to. He wants me to be all these things that I can be, not what the world says I cannot be. I am not sure what the future will hold, but I know that it will be good because God is good. The Lord is my Shepard, and he will not lead me off a cliff into my eternal doom. If I stay in His light, I will never get lost. I am trying to live my life for God first, my family second, my friends third, and I don't think that work is on that list.

Work is just a tool to help me get things done. That is my new point of view, and I like it. It really takes stress off. While I am there, I am there for my patients, not for "the man" or the money. That is really hard to say, because money causes a lot of stress in our lives, but here is where trusting God comes in. If I am good at my job, I will get paid and so will the bills. God will make sure I get taken care of. I always asked for "enough" and that is all I need. I want enough food to eat, enough to pay the bills, enough gas to get to work and do what God wants (and I want) me to do. I do not need more than I can handle, more money to tempt me to spend, more bills, etc.

So I better get off the computer so I can enjoy my day off, enough of this already!

I asked God

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No. It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness
is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from
worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy
life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that
you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as
He loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you
have the idea.

THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY

May God Bless You

Happy Birthday to Dave (and Abby)

You are very special to me Dave. I could not imagine my life without you. You and I were brought together by God for many reasons, but the main one was to love each other. You have brought me through some of the worst times in my adult life, and I have done the same for you. We were meant to be together. I know that we will always be there for each other, no matter what. In fact, I look forward to facing life's difficult challenges with you. I am so glad you are my husband. You bring me so much joy. Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

Abby, you are so cute! You always have so much love for me at the end of a rough day. When I am feeling bad, you come and cheer me up. You are so much to Dave too, and we are so happy that you are our oldest "daughter" and a ray of sunshine everyday. Happy Birthday to my furry girl!

God is in control. Always.

I just finished reading the most awesome book I have read in a long time. Silent Alarm by John Blumberg reminds you that life goes way too fast, and if you don't pay attention, you end up living life accidentally. While using a story of a man that had to get hit by a train before he realized what was going on, John leads us to understand how to live life intentionally.

I won't spoil anything, but I wanted to touch on the first point that gets raised. God is in control. Always. In life, it is so easy to forget this. It is so easy to think that we are the ones behind the steering wheel. Carrie Underwood won a Grammy with the hit "Jesus Take the Wheel" about a woman who realized she could not live life without Him. Life gets out of control when we think we are steering, and many people crash.

What does this mean? It means that we, as humans, are NOT in control. We are not all powerful, all knowing, just and kind like God. Too many times we like to think we know what is best, and we end up crashing. For many people, it takes the crash to realize it. For me, it was my mother's illness and death that was the turning point.

When you realize that life is spinning out of control, throw your hands up in the air and say "Jesus, take the wheel! I can't do this on my own!" You may choose to paraphrase Carrie Underwood anyway you like, but this is about surrender. Realizing that our existence was not our doing, but God's doing. He is the Creator, and He is in control.

This book goes on, and hits many spots in your soul. Unfortunately, most people I know get stuck here, and cannot go on any further, even after a crash. They go on living life without any idea why or how. Many people think it is about stuff, or status, or recognition. See, they get the stuff, the status, and the recognition, but they still want more, they still feel empty, they are never truly filled with joy.

True joy comes when you realize that God is always in control and you can honestly lift up your hands to cry for Jesus to take the wheel.

Phoebe says hi

This is my cat Phoebe. Yesterday I was on the phone with my aunt, and I put the cat up to the phone and she sniffs it, loudly. I used to do this all the time to my mom. I am sure it drove her nuts, but she always put up with it. I didn't have any children to talk to "Granny" just my pets, and the dog doesn't talk on the phone.

I am sure my aunt was just as irritated, but we talked about my mom. Just like her, she was really nice about it, and we had a good laugh. We both miss my mom. Talking on the phone with her was a near daily joy, one that both of us miss immensely. Somehow, talking with my aunt fills that gap. I know it helps us both to grieve her.

Now I get to hear my aunt getting ready for my cousin's wedding, and I wish my mom got to do some of that for me. Okay, when I think about it, I don't. My mom was always high-strung. I really like the way it happened for me. I had wonderful friends that swept in like magic fairies and decorated for me at my wedding. That still doesn't make me not nostalgic for Mom.

I am getting more and more okay with it. Phoebe however, still misses talking on the phone with Granny.

Jesus saves, Money slaves

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13

Well, I finally did get in that prayer (see previous posts). Dave and I prayed together Saturday night. I prayed that God would show me where I need to make changes in my life. I should have looked ahead at the sermon for Sunday... We are in the middle of our "Silent Alarms" series. The premise is that there are small alarms going off in our lives constantly, an we choose to hit the snooze alarm instead of listen to God. So when I show up to church and they focus on the money alarm, it was like being slapped in the face.

Here I am at a financial crossroads in my life. Dave and I have debt to pay off, remodeling we want to do, and another personal issue that could cost lots of money in the back of our minds. What does God want us to do? I left church knowing that I was NOT supposed to take out a home equity loan to remodel just yet. That meant a ... (I dread this word) ... budget.

I took out some paperwork, went through my check book and did some math and a spreadsheet. I figured out where most of our "lost" money goes to (eating out) and where we could really cut back (the grocery store) and how much extra we have left after paying the bills, tithing, and giving to NEXT (I won't say on the internet).

I keep thinking of our pastor, Tim Sutherland, with a credit card chained to his wrist. That is me! I go to work for them, not me! Something has got to change. I am NOT going to be enslaved to my credit card. I take it out of my wallet. "CHASE FREEDOM" it says. Freedom, freedom for who? Satan works at the ad agencies telling us that credit cards set us free, and here we are getting enslaved to them! I turn on the TV. Having a bad day? Get a pedicure, a pair of shoes to show off your pedicure, and oooh, a new dress to show off your new shoes and pedicure. The freedom to be you? NOT PRICELESS, but enslavement to your Master(card).

Suddenly the conspiracy is all around me, and I see it! Serve money, and have no time, or effort, or gee, money to serve God.

This alarm is silent no more! This budget is not something to fear, but a tool to help me get these shackles off of me! It is hard, but I will not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:5-6a: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid..."

Check out Silent Alarm by John Blumberg or any of CCC sermons on snoozing (meet my friend "clocky") or money (this one has some really good stuff, hang tight through the commercial at the beginning, even a SNL sketch) available online or by clicking my links.

I hate the flu

It always seems like when I plan something big, or things or going well, I get sick. This time it was the stomach flu. I woke up Friday before my time with nausea and well, you don't want to hear the rest. Nothing but bed rest yesterday and today. I was happy to actually eat some buttered noodles today. So your prayer week update? My stomach hurts, my joints ache. Yes, I am drinking fluids, and I suppose I could use some prayers.

Updates on prayer week

So far, I have spent a lot of time praying to God to thank him, admiring his holiness and sacrifice in Christ. Not too many details to share other than the psalm you already read earlier. Thursday, I prayed for others as my main focus. I want to be a blessing onto others, and share my faith. I also took the opportunity to get in touch with people I haven't talked to for a while.

Maybe this story will help you. I have been wanting to get every Tuesday off at work, and long story short I was going to have to drop a day to do it. Today, God totally answered my prayers. A co-worker came up to me and asked me about switching days off! Thank you God! This means I don't have to give up ten percent of my income. This is great because money is really tight. It almost seems that even before I pray for what is NEXT, God is answering my prayers! Not to mention, it looks like Dave will be able to get more hours soon (longer story there, just proves God makes good out of bad things.) God provides!

So Friday I will be praying specifically for me. What is next with me and God, me and the church, and me and the world. (Using the guide I previously mentioned.) If you are looking for something more intensive, check this out, (kudos to Atropica for pointing it out on his blog) it will help you reach a quiet place to talk to God and pray.

In the meantime, be a blessing to someone. Tell them you love them, or just open the door for them. Help make this world a better place. Prayer doesn't hurt either...

National Day of Prayer

This is the same place, two are from the inside, one from the outside. It is located in Sedona, Arizona where Dave and I spent our honeymoon. I took these pictures myself. On our honeymoon, we saw so much that revealed the glory of God to us. Sedona, the Grand Canyon, mountains, valleys, sunsets and even cities at night and daytime clouds from an airplane can be glorious.

It is bright skies like this and golden sun that reflect God's glory that gets me in a mood to pray. For some people it is getting in an accident or praying not to, having someone get ill and praying for healing, praying to pass a test you didn't quite study enough for, or maybe praying that the last hour of work goes faster so you could get out of there.

I want to share something with you, its not a secret, but people tend to forget this: God wants you to pray to him like a friend. That is right, you can pray to God in good times, not just bad. God likes to keep in touch with you, much like a friend. You pick up the phone to share the good and the bad with your friend. Praying is like using an "internal phone line" to God. He also likes it when you do it often, more than just holidays. For some of you God might sound like your mother or father now... but that is just the key. God created you, and wants to talk to you constantly, He wants to be your friend, and He loves you.

What makes you want to pray to God? Are you willing to try it even when you are not in "the mood"? It doesn't have to be formal, or follow a script. You can talk to God like you would talk to me.

Hi God, Shelley here. I just wanted to thank you for this beautiful earth that you have created. It is totally awesome. I especially love the flowering trees this time of year, but please keep the bees on the flowers and stop them from pestering me. Thank you that when I did lose my cell phone, it was at church and someone turned it in and it is safe and back in my possession! I promise to keep a better eye on it. Thank you that I have a home, and a car, and food unlike many people in the world. Help me and others to reach out to those in need and turn from our selfish ways. Thank you for my beautiful husband and my wonderful pets. Keep us safe and guide us throughout the day. Help us to live our lives the way you desire. Help others to be open to your love and reach out to say hi to you. Most importantly, thank you for sending Jesus Christ, by his sacrifice I am able to know you Lord. Because of Jesus, AMEN.

Feel free to check out CCC's Guided Prayer Outline.

I love my sister!

Happy Birthday (a day late because I didn't get to post yesterday) to my sister Megan! Here she is toasting me at our wedding reception. (Tammy my cousin, Megan, Me, Dave from left to right in photo.)

Over the years, we have had our ups and downs. She was my little baby sister, and my very first memory is bringing her home from the hospital. When we were kids, I was always going to move out of our shared room and live in the basement when we fought. Mom wouldn't let me, thank God. When we moved and each got our own bedroom, we fought less, but probably grew apart more. Puberty can do that. When I stormed out of the house in a rage, so did Megan. Technically she was under 18 and thus running away, and I felt bad for my influence on her, but I had to leave home. We have been through a lot. When Mom was dying, she quit her job and came to live with Mom to take care of her. This actually gave us a chance to heal many wounds. (Thanks Mom, another blessing from your suffering.) Megan is also an awesome personal shopper, but that's a different story.

Today I spent a good hour on the phone with Megan. I love it! We never used to talk like this, and now we do. Though we are miles apart, we talk on the phone and she is right here with me. We talk about our day, what we are doing, and what God is doing in us. We find out what we can pray about for each other. For the first time in a long, long time, Megan is more than just my sister, she is my friend. Now the wounds are healed and a true relationship is being built on the Solid Rock. (That would be Jesus, in case you couldn't figure that one out.) I love her more than words can say, and even though we may end up further apart in distance, she will always be with me here in my heart.

Thank you Megan, for loving me.

Thank you God for helping us to heal our relationship.

My talk with God

Spent some great time talking to the Big Guy today before work. See the picture, on the left is the Big Dog and on the right, X-ray Chick (that's me!) I went to my church website where they have a page for a personal guided prayer outline. This was just what I needed. The scripture really got me to a place where I am centered. Some really powerful words.

If you want to know what Psalms to read,(and didn't click the link for the guided prayer) check these three out: 103, 145, 139. There are a ton of Psalms that I love, but these three are packed with great stuff. Everyone knows 23 (The Lord is my shepherd) but these really dig into God. Some words that stuck out from these psalms and I wrote in my journal: The Lord always keeps his promises - he is close to all who call on him. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. You made me, you know me O God. Let all that I am praise the Lord.

In fact, I did get into journaling, and wrote my own "psalm" and I will -gulp- share it with you. Please be nice, its my first time sharing from my journal.

Whenever times get dark
-my heart grows weary-
yet here in my heart I find you
Lord of lords
King of kings
He who was and is and has yet to come
Your comfort extends beyond the pain
For in your presence, there is naught but light
and darkness vanquished

I am lonely without you -oh God
When my heart aches
only you can give it
what it needs

I wish only to live with you
to praise you
with all of my life
I am yours

Your words are the only words that light fire
to my soul
Your heart is the only heart that I desire
Dwell in me



This concludes day one of prayer week. Tune in soon for a day two update!~~