A time to laugh

God is so good in giving me a time to laugh when I need it. Lately I have been focusing on seeing Joy in my life as a fruit in it. It's been tough during those days when working overtime and feeling tired. I found a website that I have found some seriously goofy "Christian" jokes on. One of my favorites is "leaves of the Book".....

A little boy opened the big Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found!" the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

I was reading my friend Kelly's" blog today and thought "I need to always be seeing the season I am in and not just experiencing it". Part of that is making choices to choose to live out the fruit of the spirit in my life and Choose JOY in every season I am in. As a blog reader of many I am influenced by what I read and I was today by two. I read today in another and I thought about my season and decided to choose JOY in spite of whatever mountain I am facing each day and accept that who I am is what God tells me I am first and not what one person may say.

I can't sit around feeling I'm too insignificant and not worthy to confront someone who I feel has unjustly kept ahold of a opinon and judgement of me from my weakest of times. I am a new creation who has grown past and if they choose to still see me as in that place from where I was in the toughest trial I ever faced then they are missing the beauty of who I am today. They are missing the sunrise glimpse of my roses bloom and seeing the sweet dew drops shining in the morning sun. I know all of this yet it still hurts...

There are so many verses in my heart that just fight for me and are always telling me to never give up and believe in the God who loves me and what He says about me. I praise God for His word. My fight verses for when I fall and skin my knee on my hikes up the mountain sides of life are what pick me back up.. back up again.

I just take it one step up the mountain at a time and believe in the God who made me. Because "no weapon formed against me shall prosper" and "I am going to Love the Lord my God with all of my Heart Soul Mind and Strength! and "I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor highth, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate me from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus My Lord!!" and most of all "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley, a strong woman among the thorns"... His sweet word on my mind takes action in my feet!

Fruit: JOY

Song in my Head: Turn Turn Turn - Byrds

Verse:Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: .... 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Jars of Clay

Hands raised, voices loud. dancing under the sky of the warm August night, worship was made even sweeter with the gentle rain that came falling all around. Singing my favorite love song for Jesus that took me through those times back when I was in my little apartment in college made me smile. It been my song yet again this last two years.

I hadn't seen Jars of Clay since they were just the opening act band for another back in 1996 in Orange County, California. I have been waiting to see them for several months since I heard they would be coming to the Evergreen State Fair.

I won free tickets with Spirit 105.3 radio station and so it was perfect. We started off with six hours to get there and ended up needing all but one of them to get there. It was a grand adventure with some peculiar life lessons along the way.

Our first detour was to the Cheesecake factory where the food was out of this world and the cheesecake beyond comparison. Some great conversation and an hour or so on our detour was when it really started to pour. There had been rain forecast but it was so beautiful when we left we didn't even bring umbrellas.

So with the Metro-McGuiver good sense only my good friend could have, he made a suggestion. "Let's find a Costco along the way and get a big golf umbrella." Suddenly all that technology that we all pay to much for came in handy as we searched on cells for a Costco enroute.

We found one and managed to find a awesome set of two umbrellas that served us well. Then we realized we had forgotten the directions to the fair and decided to wing it when our "technology" failed us in directions.

So down the road we were a wee bit lost in the woods of a farming community. We saw a farm with a name and thought we would stop and ask. We decided that the sign that said "no trespassers" really wasn't meant for us. Out of options we braved it and entered. My friend ran out and knocked to encounter a drunk guy @5 in the afternoon. He said when he came back in "how do you feel about getting directions from a drunk guy?". We laughed and decided to follow them. We ended up finding signs along these directions that had signs that said "beware fish crossing" and some other crazy things.

Finally we asked yet again for some sober directions and found our way to the fair. It was an adventure and it rained like cats and dogs but we loved every minute of it. Of course another cherry was when I saw some Living Water friends at the concert. It's a small world when your a Christian @a concert sometimes.

Fruit: Joy

Song in my head: Love song for a Savior - Jars of Clay

Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (Version - Jars of Clay)

Jamaica Mon

Doing the "Jamaican happy dance" with my friend at work this morning I had to laugh and think "it really is all about culture". She was wearing her Jamaican hat today at work and telling me with her lovely Jamaican accent how proud her country was of "their boy" Usain Bolt for winning the Gold Metal.

She had a Jamaican happy dance she taught me. It's a fun little jig. She also shared about how Americans can misinterpet their culture at times. She told me that American reporters saw Usain pounding his chest after winning the Gold and didn't realize it was not pride saying "I am great" but part of what they do when their heart is pounding after a race in their culture.

She also shared about how when she was home working at a bank in Jamaica she had the Jamaican bobsled team visit her bank. I always love to hear her lovely accent when getting her on the phone at work.

Hearing her share about how her culture was misinterpeted reminded me of a missions class I took when I was attending Azusa Pacific University in California.

In the class we went on a "passport" to several countries in a seminar and were told to observe a "authentic" African tribe ceremony in one of them. We were told to also observe and then share what we believed was happening from our observations of the people and how they were feeling and thinking.

We were told we needed to respect this culture of the African tribe who were visiting APU and not to interfere with their ceremony no matter what happened. We were brought into a large dimly lit place and told to sit quitely while watching this ceremony.

In the ceremony they were speaking a tribal language we didn't know and it seemed brutal as it had a woman on the ground having her head violently rubbed on the ground by a male along with dancing and a fire. It was a long ceremony and it was a bit emotional to see this woman seem like she was being tortured.

Afterwords we went to a forum where we discussed what we thought was going on. The leaders of our class told us that this woman was actually highly reguarded as a "God" in their culture and was being honored in the ceremony. In this "culture" it was honoring of women to do what they did in the ceremony.

After we had discussed the culture they described to us and how we misinterpeted it. Then we got the lesson that everything is not always how it appears to be and a "zinger".

They had the cast of the "African Tribe" vistors come in and reveal they were truely guests acting as Africans to teach us about culture. In other words they had made up this "African tribe" that was visiting APU to teach us something about culture.

We were fooled but got a good lesson from it. After having been to China and Mexico before this class and dealing with culture differences there I had already seen some of this. Really though when I was completely out of my element to anything I had ever experienced before in this "African tribe" I didn't know how to interpet it.

I didn't have the experience or knowledge about the culture we where thrown into in the class. It just goes to show how valuable researching into a culture before traveling there can be and how as Americans we can misinterpet things.

My Jamaican friend also told me about a porriage recipe she has from home. She said it gives untold amounts of energy to people. Her son eats it before races and just can not be caught. I told her she should market this wonder but with a smile she said "no it's Jamaican secret recipe". I hate to tell her but I googled it and found the recipe. I am so going to try it.

Fruit: Joy

Song in my Head: Give me your eyes - Brandon Heath

Loving this Verse: Psalm42:1For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

"Total Money Makeover" Camel VS Needle

I just finished a 6 week study on Dave Ramseys book "Total Money Makeover" with my small group this week. We dug into it and I really got a new way to think about some of the aspects of how I manage my money. It had some great insights into a plan to get out of debt. It was simple and really a motivational book.

I already had some of the plan to do the "snowball" in the book and had my emergency fund saved even before reading. I was glad to know I was already doing some of the things he suggested and it gave me encouragment to continue. I liked his ideas and encouragment and how it provided stories of people who became debt free.

I really liked how he shared about giving in the book but there was something missing throughout that I wasn't quite sure of until chatting with my small group. I didn't see the emphasis on relying on God to determine the path of your money first quite enough.

We had a good discussion in my small group about this and about a quote from him that we questioned when balancing it with what scripture said. This is a great book overall and I would encourage reading it. However you have to look outside it to see "the God factor" in the equasion of His kingdom first.

You just can't leave out "the God factor" first when deciding out your budget. You have to leave room for God to tell you to do something unexpected with your money that may be out of your budget but in His plan with it. Even if this means while working on getting out of debt you have to give something God tells you to do with that "emergency fund".

Our security must come from the only true place it can come from. After all we have to remember what Jesus told us about worry and where our security should lie.

Matthew 6: 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?... and 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In the book Dave also talks about building large wealth being healthy for a Christian to desire. When I first read this I got a "spirit check" in my gut. It didn't feel right. Maybe it was the way he said it. Even though he did also note that wealth would free you up so your free to give it still didn't seem to line up for me. This is great to be desiring to give but you have to be careful there and so I went to scripture.

In building wealth you can't get away from seeing scripture like

Matthew 29: 23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Dave really doesn't address this in his book. How are we supposed to get through that eye of the needle if we are successfull in building the huge kind of wealth that his book discusses. It discusses in the book giving but if we are still rich where will our heart be if we are so concerned about keeping our half a Million dollar nest egg for retirement and building more?

I am not sure we really came to a conclusion that it was possible in our small group. Still pondering that one. Camel Vs Needle... hummm ... I did find a photo of a camel in a suitcase but no needle.. where is that big needle when you need one?

Fruit: Patience
Song in my head: Give me your eyes - Brandon Heath
Verse: Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Funny stories @bout customers

@t work @Expedia we got a email passed around about some actual issues customers called in on at one time to travel agents for. There was a top ten list and these are my two favorites:

A New York lawmaker called and asked, 'Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to whom?' I said, 'No, why do you ask?' She said, 'Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said (FAT). I am a little overweight, but I think that's very rude. After putting her on hold for a minute while I looked into it (I was laughing). I came back and explained the city code for Fresno , CA is (FAT - Fresno Air Terminal), and the airline was just putting the destination tag on her luggage.

A senior Senator called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China . After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him that he needed a visa. 'Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those.' I double-checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa. When I told him this he said, 'Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express!'

It's good to laugh every day and see reasons to smile. Try smiling at someone who snarles at ya and you will see one of two things: Shock or a smile back... It's worth doing either way I find...

Fruit: Joy
Song in my Head: Let all creation sing... What a wonder you are.... - By: ?
Verse: Job 29:24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. (out of context :))

Midweek adventures :)

I have had a adventurous week thus far and it's only halfway through. On Monday afternoon after work I went on a short hike to Tolmie Park near @Mary's house where my small group meets. I found a beautiful piece of drift wood to sit and read on and do some sketching of the beautiful day it was. Then I took a walk and found a fallen tree that fell from the cliff near the oceans edge.

It brought to mind scripture about how when were planted in sand we will not withstand the storm. This tree was a perfect illustration of this. Its root system was long yet it couldn't stand the test of a storm as it came up taking its roots with it. As I left I crossed the sweet little bridge and was off to my favorite place to be on a Monday night.

Then today I on the way home from work Cat called me and asked me to go swimming with her and her boys at the Tenino Rock Quarry. It was a blast to hang out with the crew and swim to the waterfall. It is a bit scary jumping in to the quarry. You can't see the bottom and so its a bit of a leap of faith. The water is a rush at first because it's so cool. Then you get swimming and it's just a joy.

Googling today after trying to remember all the words I found one of my favorite songs by Dennis Jernigan "You are my all in all". I remembered the first time I sang this song was in Chapel while attending Azusa Pacific University in California. Reading his website I found his awesome testamony. http://www.dennisjernigan.com/Testimonies.htm

You are my All in All
You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord, to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

Rising up again I bless Your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down You pick me up

When I am dry You fill my cup

You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name

Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name
You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel

Lord, to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God

Worthy is Your name

I love singing this song and wonder if I can get a CD of his? Humm... Dennis is from OK right near Texas and my JOC (Jars of Clay). Texas reminds me of country music, cowboy hats, cows, horses and.... it also reminds me how much I used to dislike the thought of Texas. (almost as much as olives) I was born in Fort Worth and I moved to California when I was a little girl. I remember visiting later and seeing roaches the size of housecats, fire ants that stung my bare feet, and extreemly hot mucky summer weather. They were long summers there then made famous by the "Y'all" and the people.

Fruit: Joy

Song in my head: You are my all and all - *Michele rendition :)

Verse: Colossians 3: 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

Kindness goes a long way

Mufflers are a funny thing.. They tell you when you need a new one LOUD and clear. I got my "sweet angel" Nissan last October and have loved how it's been so faithful to get me where I am going. The only thing was that it really has always made it's entrance known.

My muffler was never quite muffing the sound of me coming. Friday I showed my muffler to my friend who said "you need a new muffler now before this one falls off... starts making sparks and your car blows up". Okay he didn't say blows up part but made it clear it needed to be done. So he took it off before it could fall off and even offered to put on a new one for me today.

Still thankful for the labor I started calling around for the best price on mufflers. This is where my customer service skills came in handy. I have a tip for anyone who really wants something from a service or business. I have found that if you are kind, show respect and are especially thankful for the service being provided you win.

Kind of grumpy in my first few attempts. I called two more places and they all said no we can't get it for you by tomorrow and it will be from $87.00 to $289.00 to get it by sometime next week. I took a moment, said a prayer and called the last place on my list. I called and followed a tip I learned from my boss. She said if you make yourself smile while talking with a customer even when your not feeling it you will sound better.

Smiling... I dialed... Suddenly this gal had one for $65.00 that she would go out of her way to rush in an order for me and would give me a 10% discount. It really hadn't occured to me until later that it was the kindness showed to her and personal interest I showed in her day that maybe gave me an edge to get what I was needing plus a bonus just for being kind.

It reminded me of a song from last summer. Part of it goes "kindness goes a long way, smile at her today".

So today I was thankful for the kind gal at Schucks and having friends who are like McGuiver. You know those guys you give a toothpick and a piece of sting and build you a mansion. My friend who volunteered to do my muffler is like that. He had to modify it to make it work with my car and just knew how to do it. Not only that but he did a tune up on my car too replacing the spark things and whatnot. I watched in awe as a officially legally blonde gal when it comes to cars and learned a bit too.

Being single you need those friends in your life who just invest their knowledge and time. It was awesome because when I left this friend he said my conversation where I gave him some life advice made it where he got as much out of helping me as I gave to him. That is exactly what friendship is all about.

I got to share a bit about being a turkey in the oven with my friend and patience. He doesn't attend Living Water and so I shared with him about Pastor Jon's sermon about being in a process of God working in us. It was about how long it takes to bake a turkey and how impatient we get waiting for it to be done. It's funny how sometimes your giving advice to someone and you think "I so need to hear this myself".

The thing about being in a process "turkey in the oven" is that we are always going to be in a process of something. If we are really truely aspiring to be our best we will always be moving, changing, growing and being transformed.

So a thought came to me.. "Will I ever see my thanksgiving feast here on earth?" Probably not.. It's not very encouraging for the short run to think it will not really ever end. Truely though it is all about the long run and those little victories we make along the way in life.

Fruit: Kindness
Song in my Head: Give me your eyes - Brandon Heath

Verse: Psalm 38: 9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 15 I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.