November 26, 2006

My Musing's Makeover

Every so often a girl needs to add a touch of bling to refresh a relationship. So, Blogspot and I are losing the "Barbie" pink background and accessorizing with this chic new design. We think the green/gray colors are tranquil and add a bit of class to the site. Blogspot added some features that I couldn't resist tryng out. So, what do you think about us now?

November 24, 2006

Let Us Give Thanks


Thanksgiving Day has come and gone once again. It doesn't really feel like Thanksgiving even though it definitely feels like days off from work. Over the years, our holiday tradition has moved from traveling east down I-10 to my parent's house for a huge feast with relatives, to across the bayou to Kim's parent's house with his family and now driving back west on I-10 to his sister's house in Houston for a gathering of blended families and friends. Last year Kim and I even ventured up north to snow in Michigan and Thanksgiving with Jason, Kari and kids. That was probably the only white Thanksgiving we'll ever have. Conversations have ranged from talks about sewing clothes, cooking, fishing, and football with my family, to discussions of politics, books, movies, religion and football with Kim's family. The traditions of playing horseshoes, "42", exchanging recipies or just sitting in the backyard talking, has given way to walks to cemeteries, watching the kids play video games and sitting around a fire on the patio to share the current issues of the day.

A lot has changed for me over the past 14 years of Thanksgivings, but one thing has been the same each and every year. Turkey and dressing. Although, a "Yankee" brother in law introduced bread stuffing to the family, cornbread dressing remains the favorite with turkey, baked sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce on the side. When I bite into the foodfaire of The Day, for a short time, it still feels like Thanksgiving. Our three boys are all grown up now and the Thanksgiving traditions continue to change. However, I am satisfied to be making new memories. We took some pictures, saw an interesting stone carving of "Jesus", enjoyed each other's company and ate so much food we were stuffed. One of these days I hope to bake some pies using my mom's recipes, learn to make cornbread dressing, have the crowd over to my house and shift the Thanksgiving paradigm once again. Until then, we will take long walks to cemeteries, laugh at the cute things the kids do, talk about the current issues and as always, eat turkey and dressing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21, 2006

Jesus Loves the Little Children



Back in the saddle again...sort of. Kim and I, along with one other adult, took a small group of teens on a church retreat. It was only over night, but brought back a lot of memories. Back when our own children were in the church youth group, we often chaperoned various camp events. One of the last retreats Kim and I helped chaperone was to Garner State Park in December. Very cold with a lot of sipping hot chocolate and roasting marshmellows for smores. This more recent trip was also cold and I was happy to find out that smores are still a hit around a campfire. As always there are a few kids that didn't make curfew and walks around the camp after hours looking for them, brought back memories too. Muddy shoes, dirty showers, squeals of delight in the dark, ball games of all types, youth group games, junior high kids bugging the older kids hasn't changed during our "off" years. Something else that hasn't changed are sweet young voices singing praises to God and kids worshiping our Lord. Innocence, questions, some apathy, some drama, always an adventure when it comes to teenagers.

After all of my initial complaining about going, I'm so glad we went. To be with Jesus' children, these teenagers, once again was edifying to my soul. God works on our hearts and brings us back to Him whenever we drift. It is reassuring that God still wants me for his service. I pray that God will continue to put people in my life who present these opportunities of service. Thanks Bill.

November 11, 2006

Be Kind To Each Other

I have always been a person with sensitive feelings. As I have aged, I have acquired skills to hide those hurt feelings most of the time and that’s neither good nor bad. However, several times in just the past 3 or 4 months, when my feelings were hurt so badly that I just couldn't contain them, I cried and would say things that I shouldn’t have.

If you have paid attention, you might have noticed that everyone is a critic. Also, they are quick to let you or someone else know that an action or something said was (in their opinion) "not right". Some people just seem to think that it is their job to let us “less intelligent” ones know when we have screwed up. I am getting pretty weary of those sorts of people.

It isn't easy to do as Jesus said and "turn the other cheek" when a particular person treats us like we don't have any sense. I work in an elementary school where it seems there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians. (My apologies to our Native American friends. I don't want someone to point out my pc mistake.) However, there seems to be a lot of people acting like they are in charge of telling others how they should or should not do something. They go as far as telling them how to do their job when, in the teaching field, there are many, many ways to teach concepts and skills.

I have noticed that “I-know-better-than-you” mentality in all walks of our day-to-day lives. People thinking that their way of behaving, working and expressing an opinion is so much better than anyone else’s, has gotten out of hand. I am not the most politically minded person. In fact, I would more than likely fail a test given to me on American politics. I suppose that politics do not appeal to me because the candidates express themselves in such boastful ways. They put the other candidates down and cause slander to their reputation whenever possible. What is particularly disturbing to me about that is how people I know will jump on that slander bandwagon if it is an opponent of the favored candidate.

When Americans see that type of behavior from political figures, bosses, older adults and even Christians, they either get on their opinionated side or they fight back. Talk about Politically Incorrect! Since when has it been accepted to make others feel inferior? Since when do we have to take derogatory comments from coworkers, bosses or the extrovert that doesn't mind spouting off?

Let us be Christian and show others their value. Listen to people and what they have to say. Acknowledge you might be wrong or that there is another way of doing something. Be kind to everyone and not just our close friends that believe the way we do. I have been on the receiving end of unkind comments and they are very hurtful.

Because I know that my friends read this blog and may be thinking, “I’ve heard ML say some unkind things too”. I realize I’ve made that mistake. When we realize our words or actions were hurtful we should apologize to that person. I can hardly live with myself knowing I have hurt someone, even if that person has been hurtful to me. I am here to tell you apology isn’t easy. However, in the end, I am always glad I can say those two kinder words, “I’m sorry.”
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