Okay. I'm going to risk being called a grouch and a grump, but I've had it with the April Showers. Enough is enough. It's almost May, and we are in severe need of some Spring-like weather. Yesterday, a friend told me that she thought she had moss growing on her north side. It may be July, before my flower beds will be tillable!
It's cold and wet and miserable in most of the country.
My son once told me to quit complaining about the weather. I have a car he said. Leave, if you don't like it here. I've reached the point where if I thought I could....I would. It's time to "get out of Dodge". A warm Caribbean Island sounds great, about now. Honestly, I would settle for stepping out of the shower in the morning and not be freezing cold.
Hey God. My list of "wants" is pretty short, today. I want some sunshine. I'd accept just a couple of hours of warm, dry weather. I don't want to seem ungrateful for all of the wonderful blessings that you have given me. I do appreciate them. But, can we have some nice weather soon? Please.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
DYB
If you have ever had any connection with the Cub Scouts of America, you know DYB. I think I even remember the boys yelling it as a cheer. DYB! DYB! DYB! And,I sincerely believe, that DYB beats all the fancy codes, mottos and mission statements, ever created. It's the greatest.
Last Sunday, at our current church, my husband, aka "the Silver Fox", aka "the traveling choir director" directed three presentations of Vivaldi's "Gloria". He's spent, since January, countless hours coaching, coaxing, plodding and pleading with the Chancel Choir, two vocal soloists, and 10 instrumentalists to DYB. The results were spectacular. Everyone, including the congregation, pastors and musicians were pleased. It was a project well worth the effort.
It's always worth it to DYB. Although, he was told, not too long ago that some Churchy Folk think "sorta good is good enough for God". God expects you to DYB. After all, he gave everything, including his life, for us.
This Holy Week, as we contemplate the sacrifices God made for us, let's try to remember to always "Do Your Best" for Him.
God, we know that you want us to do our best. There just isn't any other way to practice our Faith. Lead us in the way that you would have us go. Teach us to follow where You lead us.
Keep us focused on the Joy of Easter Morning.
Last Sunday, at our current church, my husband, aka "the Silver Fox", aka "the traveling choir director" directed three presentations of Vivaldi's "Gloria". He's spent, since January, countless hours coaching, coaxing, plodding and pleading with the Chancel Choir, two vocal soloists, and 10 instrumentalists to DYB. The results were spectacular. Everyone, including the congregation, pastors and musicians were pleased. It was a project well worth the effort.
It's always worth it to DYB. Although, he was told, not too long ago that some Churchy Folk think "sorta good is good enough for God". God expects you to DYB. After all, he gave everything, including his life, for us.
This Holy Week, as we contemplate the sacrifices God made for us, let's try to remember to always "Do Your Best" for Him.
God, we know that you want us to do our best. There just isn't any other way to practice our Faith. Lead us in the way that you would have us go. Teach us to follow where You lead us.
Keep us focused on the Joy of Easter Morning.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
"One is silver and the other gold."
Do you know how to make a stranger a friend? The answer couldn't be any easier. You just find some work to do, together.
This past week, I invited "10 Mission Workers from Wichita" (sounds like a sports team, doesn't it?) to come and do some volunteer work, at my place of employment. They came on Thursday, and by Sunday afternoon, when they departed, eleven complete strangers had become eleven fast friends.
A common bond, which in this case was a desire to help those people who truly need assistance, makes for a great connection. My new friends tutored our non-English speaking clients. They copied, pasted, stapled and even wrapped Christmas Presents. Over 400 Christmas Presents!
Well, doing all of that work together became more fun than a barrel of monkeys. We talked and laughed and told stories. We shared our faith and our life experiences.
Monday, I woke up and I found out that in my heart of hearts, I was missing 10 members of my "family".
Lord, you must take real joy in knowing that your children can become friends and sharing companions. How unhappy it must make you to see us become enemies. Show us how to love one another and truly mean it. We really want to please you.
This past week, I invited "10 Mission Workers from Wichita" (sounds like a sports team, doesn't it?) to come and do some volunteer work, at my place of employment. They came on Thursday, and by Sunday afternoon, when they departed, eleven complete strangers had become eleven fast friends.
A common bond, which in this case was a desire to help those people who truly need assistance, makes for a great connection. My new friends tutored our non-English speaking clients. They copied, pasted, stapled and even wrapped Christmas Presents. Over 400 Christmas Presents!
Well, doing all of that work together became more fun than a barrel of monkeys. We talked and laughed and told stories. We shared our faith and our life experiences.
Monday, I woke up and I found out that in my heart of hearts, I was missing 10 members of my "family".
Lord, you must take real joy in knowing that your children can become friends and sharing companions. How unhappy it must make you to see us become enemies. Show us how to love one another and truly mean it. We really want to please you.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Techno Folly
I observed a confict today that took 13 emails, over a period of four hours, to resolve. It was a simple issue of conflicting dates and personnel. I wasn't directly involved, but I was copied on all of the transactions. As I went about my work, I kept checking my inbox regularly to see when and if the dispute would be resolved.
With each continuing message, the original issue became muddier and muddier, until, quite frankly, I had pretty much forgotten what the problem had been in the first place. It occurred to me, long before the trail of messages had come to a resolution, that a short phone call could have solved the whole thing in a few minutes.
Technology is a great thing, but I fear that we are losing our sense of perspective and along with that, the ability to think reasonably. We've let our fingers do the walking, when what we need to do is a little more talking.
Most holy and knowledgable God, keep those life lessons coming. There is so much I want to learn. Help me to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to the pure and right things. Thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to listen and learn....from others.
With each continuing message, the original issue became muddier and muddier, until, quite frankly, I had pretty much forgotten what the problem had been in the first place. It occurred to me, long before the trail of messages had come to a resolution, that a short phone call could have solved the whole thing in a few minutes.
Technology is a great thing, but I fear that we are losing our sense of perspective and along with that, the ability to think reasonably. We've let our fingers do the walking, when what we need to do is a little more talking.
Most holy and knowledgable God, keep those life lessons coming. There is so much I want to learn. Help me to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to the pure and right things. Thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to listen and learn....from others.
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