sometimes we have to deal with a LOT.
and we can, yes we can, become clean again. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
dirt.
11.20.2009
sometimes we have to deal with a little "dirt" in our lives.
sometimes we have to deal with a LOT.
and we can, yes we can, become clean again. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
sometimes we have to deal with a LOT.
and we can, yes we can, become clean again. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
RE: India
11.17.2009
**So, a friend from Haiti is still reading through his inbox ... and I got a note replying to this (see below) email. It's from May 2007! However, I enjoyed reading it again, laughed at him, and thought I'd post it for you to see too.
May 2007: Visited Pune, India at a Nazarene Youth Congress.
______________________________________________
I'm convinced, despite its economical state, India is rich.
Last week, while reflecting on the six days I spent there, I realized that the richness I discovered wasn't complete without experiencing it through all of my senses -- and I was able to go and do this, in part, because of your support, financially, through prayer and encouragement. Thank you! The rest I can thank God for; He has blessed me so much this year!
Toting our own personal rolls of toilet paper, more skirts than I've ever worn in one week and communications seminar materials, Simone (Miss Amazing Writer) and I (Simone's Sidekick) flew to Mumbai (Bombay) on May 16. Our site for the Nazarene Youth Congress was on a Bible school campus in Pune, India, about a four-hour bus-ride from the airport. As soon as we deplaned, it was obvious that we'd left the cool and clean land of Switzerland (and western Europe for that matter) and entered into the world of humidity, mosquitoes and rickshaws. Yet it is a place where spirituality is an essential of life and where God is working to draw more people to Himself.
Feeling India. In Switzerland, our crackly skin requires daily lotioning. I've decided that "humidity" is almost synonymous with India -- our hair and skin were completely without need of anything but air. May and June are the warm season in the country that houses one sixth of the world's population and we were smack dab in the middle of it. Fortunately, it was only about 30-35' C in Pune (90-95' F) instead of 45 (113'F!) as some participants said they'd come from. It was still HOT, but we were blessed, most nights, with cool breezes and if not there was enough electricity to run our ceiling fans all night.
Western girls in India, no matter if we were "disguised" in Indian clothing, are an attraction, and as I expected, we felt eyes following us wherever we went. However, most were not inhospitable stares. We were drenched in hospitality from the Indian people, maybe because we were foreigners, but the care was obvious.
"Have you eaten breakfast? Do you need more?"
"Take my seat."
"Oh, you look so beautiful in your Indian clothing!"
"Thank you so much for coming and talking to us."
Tasting India. Without a doubt, Indian food is unique and I loved it. The first afternoon we went for lunch after waking up very late, we were alone in the dining hall. Given no utensils, it was obvious that we were supposed to use our fingers to eat, but neither Simone nor I knew how and no one was around for us to subtly spy on for tips. The next meal we confessed our ignorance and had several people show us how to eat rice with our fingers -- not without a mess, but so fun! Curry sauces and more rice, white bread and chipate (tortilla-like flat bread) than I've ever eaten before. Some of the sauces were spicier than others -- yum(!) but every meal my runny nose reminded me of the heat. Fruit (not to mention veggies) was rare, but the bananas and mango slices we did have were a treat! We drank and drank and drank and drank bottle after bottle of water. No dehydration. Praise Jesus.
Smelling India. Third-world smells, if you've never experienced them, I've found are very similar, even on the other side of the world. On the windy and dirty bus-ride to and from Mumbai, smells assailed us. Some of the unkind smells (trash and sewer and diesel exhaust) were obvious but other smells I recognized from my time in Haiti but were undefinable beyond "familiar". New smells of fried chipate and curry sauces filled the air before mealtimes, roasted nuts along the street and even the smell of the wet air after a thunderstorm! The thunderstorm was a special treat -- none of those in my Swiss village.
Seeing India. India is undeniably beautiful. And the beauty is the people. Dark skin, shiny black hair and tiny children. The land is brown and green and cities dirty and grey, but the bougainvillea flowers in bright pinks and oranges save the landscapes. Not to mention the extraordinary and colorful dress of the women. Eastern fashion was so fun to observe -- flowing sarees and salwar kameezes (a typical Indian outfit -- pants and long tunic tops with a scarf cover) paired with sparkly jewelry. Add that to traditional dancing and I had a moment of realization that probably nothing will ever duplicate what I was experiencing. If I would smile, faces would light up -- the beauty of the creation of people was so evident.
Hear India. Honking car and rickshaw horns kept us awake the night we drove in -- the driving was insane. (Simone commented that if her brothers had grown up in India, they wouldn't have needed to play video games, they'd just need to drive!) A bird, which at first we couldn't quite peg as a monkey or a bird, sang to us and the skinny campus cat screeched at all hours. Lilting songs (amazing what they could do with their voices) and beat of the drums added new sensory worship experiences, Hindi and chatter from local dialects filled the times when English was not spoken (although as English as its second language, India is a place friendly to native English speakers!), cheers from competitive cricket games, laughter, hallelujahs and more filled our ears.
Amidst all of the almost overwhelming surroundings, we saw God, asked for his help, interviewed people and taught four seminars on communications -- attempting to convey the importance of telling our stories. Stories of what God is doing in our lives and communities so that our own people and the world might hear and know and believe.
May 2007: Visited Pune, India at a Nazarene Youth Congress.
______________________________________________
I'm convinced, despite its economical state, India is rich.
Last week, while reflecting on the six days I spent there, I realized that the richness I discovered wasn't complete without experiencing it through all of my senses -- and I was able to go and do this, in part, because of your support, financially, through prayer and encouragement. Thank you! The rest I can thank God for; He has blessed me so much this year!
Toting our own personal rolls of toilet paper, more skirts than I've ever worn in one week and communications seminar materials, Simone (Miss Amazing Writer) and I (Simone's Sidekick) flew to Mumbai (Bombay) on May 16. Our site for the Nazarene Youth Congress was on a Bible school campus in Pune, India, about a four-hour bus-ride from the airport. As soon as we deplaned, it was obvious that we'd left the cool and clean land of Switzerland (and western Europe for that matter) and entered into the world of humidity, mosquitoes and rickshaws. Yet it is a place where spirituality is an essential of life and where God is working to draw more people to Himself.
Feeling India. In Switzerland, our crackly skin requires daily lotioning. I've decided that "humidity" is almost synonymous with India -- our hair and skin were completely without need of anything but air. May and June are the warm season in the country that houses one sixth of the world's population and we were smack dab in the middle of it. Fortunately, it was only about 30-35' C in Pune (90-95' F) instead of 45 (113'F!) as some participants said they'd come from. It was still HOT, but we were blessed, most nights, with cool breezes and if not there was enough electricity to run our ceiling fans all night.
Western girls in India, no matter if we were "disguised" in Indian clothing, are an attraction, and as I expected, we felt eyes following us wherever we went. However, most were not inhospitable stares. We were drenched in hospitality from the Indian people, maybe because we were foreigners, but the care was obvious.
"Have you eaten breakfast? Do you need more?"
"Take my seat."
"Oh, you look so beautiful in your Indian clothing!"
"Thank you so much for coming and talking to us."
Tasting India. Without a doubt, Indian food is unique and I loved it. The first afternoon we went for lunch after waking up very late, we were alone in the dining hall. Given no utensils, it was obvious that we were supposed to use our fingers to eat, but neither Simone nor I knew how and no one was around for us to subtly spy on for tips. The next meal we confessed our ignorance and had several people show us how to eat rice with our fingers -- not without a mess, but so fun! Curry sauces and more rice, white bread and chipate (tortilla-like flat bread) than I've ever eaten before. Some of the sauces were spicier than others -- yum(!) but every meal my runny nose reminded me of the heat. Fruit (not to mention veggies) was rare, but the bananas and mango slices we did have were a treat! We drank and drank and drank and drank bottle after bottle of water. No dehydration. Praise Jesus.
Smelling India. Third-world smells, if you've never experienced them, I've found are very similar, even on the other side of the world. On the windy and dirty bus-ride to and from Mumbai, smells assailed us. Some of the unkind smells (trash and sewer and diesel exhaust) were obvious but other smells I recognized from my time in Haiti but were undefinable beyond "familiar". New smells of fried chipate and curry sauces filled the air before mealtimes, roasted nuts along the street and even the smell of the wet air after a thunderstorm! The thunderstorm was a special treat -- none of those in my Swiss village.
Seeing India. India is undeniably beautiful. And the beauty is the people. Dark skin, shiny black hair and tiny children. The land is brown and green and cities dirty and grey, but the bougainvillea flowers in bright pinks and oranges save the landscapes. Not to mention the extraordinary and colorful dress of the women. Eastern fashion was so fun to observe -- flowing sarees and salwar kameezes (a typical Indian outfit -- pants and long tunic tops with a scarf cover) paired with sparkly jewelry. Add that to traditional dancing and I had a moment of realization that probably nothing will ever duplicate what I was experiencing. If I would smile, faces would light up -- the beauty of the creation of people was so evident.
Hear India. Honking car and rickshaw horns kept us awake the night we drove in -- the driving was insane. (Simone commented that if her brothers had grown up in India, they wouldn't have needed to play video games, they'd just need to drive!) A bird, which at first we couldn't quite peg as a monkey or a bird, sang to us and the skinny campus cat screeched at all hours. Lilting songs (amazing what they could do with their voices) and beat of the drums added new sensory worship experiences, Hindi and chatter from local dialects filled the times when English was not spoken (although as English as its second language, India is a place friendly to native English speakers!), cheers from competitive cricket games, laughter, hallelujahs and more filled our ears.
Amidst all of the almost overwhelming surroundings, we saw God, asked for his help, interviewed people and taught four seminars on communications -- attempting to convey the importance of telling our stories. Stories of what God is doing in our lives and communities so that our own people and the world might hear and know and believe.
Wedded Bliss (or something like that)
11.06.2009
SO two weekends ago, my BFF Elizabeth got married to her Mike.
They're a good pair. Trust me. (*wink)
And I got to freeze whilst taking these pictures outside. Yet! I will not complain. It was the only not rainy day in weeks (and seriously, my calves/thighs were sore for 3 days ... after "walking" on squishy ground in those heels!) and I got to be in some of the pictures.
Yay for me and yay for them. Ha.
And, um, pretty much, their photographer was amazing. Click the picture to see more of Erica Rankin's work that day! They said she was good ... but holy crap. She's AMAZING.
:-)
*sigh* BFF is married off... phew!
They're a good pair. Trust me. (*wink)
And I got to freeze whilst taking these pictures outside. Yet! I will not complain. It was the only not rainy day in weeks (and seriously, my calves/thighs were sore for 3 days ... after "walking" on squishy ground in those heels!) and I got to be in some of the pictures.
Yay for me and yay for them. Ha.
And, um, pretty much, their photographer was amazing. Click the picture to see more of Erica Rankin's work that day! They said she was good ... but holy crap. She's AMAZING.
:-)
*sigh* BFF is married off... phew!
summer
7.22.2009
I really do like summer.
But I have to admit that it's much more fun when you're a kid. And it's SUMMER. And it lasts SO long! And you can't wait to get out of school ... and then back to school!
WAIT! back to summer. My summer means full-time work. Watching the hired mowers cutting the grass. Turning my heater on when 71 degrees is too cold for me. Wishing I was home.
But sometimes it's...
Finding your first ripe tomato!
Fresh green beans from your tiny garden.
Having a Jackson who loves to eat green beans. :-) Yes, he loves them
.
Summer. It's good. :-)
But I have to admit that it's much more fun when you're a kid. And it's SUMMER. And it lasts SO long! And you can't wait to get out of school ... and then back to school!
WAIT! back to summer. My summer means full-time work. Watching the hired mowers cutting the grass. Turning my heater on when 71 degrees is too cold for me. Wishing I was home.
But sometimes it's...
Finding your first ripe tomato!
Fresh green beans from your tiny garden.
Having a Jackson who loves to eat green beans. :-) Yes, he loves them
.Summer. It's good. :-)
Fabio
6.11.2009
an obvious boy/girl exchange this morning while I'm combing my hair.
J: "aw man, I can't imagine having hair that long."
L: "do you want hair this long?"
J: "no"
L: "Yeah, and I don't want hair as short as yours."
J: "Yeah. Well... if I had thick hair, I would like it long."
L: "EEEEEEEW."
J: "Ohh..... FABIO!!!" (Kiss on the cheek.)
No, Jeremy, I prefer bald men.
:-)
J: "aw man, I can't imagine having hair that long."
L: "do you want hair this long?"
J: "no"
L: "Yeah, and I don't want hair as short as yours."
J: "Yeah. Well... if I had thick hair, I would like it long."
L: "EEEEEEEW."
J: "Ohh..... FABIO!!!" (Kiss on the cheek.)
No, Jeremy, I prefer bald men.
:-)
For Today...
6.09.2009
Outside my window... drops of rain and wind-blown trees.
I am thinking... about going home.
From the learning rooms... why I can't be anything I want to be. I can only love being who I am designed to be.
I am thankful for... good people.
From the kitchen... week old brownies. :-)
I am wearing... my black $3 Ann Taylor LOFT shirt with tan & gold capris. Brown and Black -- I love you Europe!
I am reading... in blogland.
I am hoping... to have fun with my husband.
I am creating... living room curtains.
I am hearing... computer buzz and ladies talking.
Around the house... is my puppy and his hairballs.
One of my favorite things... laughing with my love.
A few plans for the rest of the week... seeing friends and a Saturday wedding.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Love from Slovenia. :-) Georgeous, isn't she?
I am thinking... about going home.
From the learning rooms... why I can't be anything I want to be. I can only love being who I am designed to be.
I am thankful for... good people.
From the kitchen... week old brownies. :-)
I am wearing... my black $3 Ann Taylor LOFT shirt with tan & gold capris. Brown and Black -- I love you Europe!
I am reading... in blogland.
I am hoping... to have fun with my husband.
I am creating... living room curtains.
I am hearing... computer buzz and ladies talking.
Around the house... is my puppy and his hairballs.
One of my favorite things... laughing with my love.
A few plans for the rest of the week... seeing friends and a Saturday wedding.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Love from Slovenia. :-) Georgeous, isn't she?
number one
6.05.2009
If you check out the picture two posts ago ... you may notice a white dress. :-)
May 24 we celebrated number ONE! And, honestly, it was surprising for both of us how special it was. Ha, we couldn't stop smiling at each other. And I pranced around in my wedding dress for a little bit.
It was our "paper" anniversary. So he put a gift (such a lovely gift!) in a pretty paper bag and I wrote love notes on a roll of toilet paper. To read when ... well, you know.
I'm not sure that I can put a finger on what made it so special, but it was like this intimate knowing that we'd made it through one (really tough) year and we really did love each other. I've heard this a ton ... but I do think that I love him more than I did last year.
A-mazing.
Not to say that we've not had our ups and downs ... but, it was just good. Thank you for your goodness God.
And thank you JEREMY LEE for loving me!!
:-)
May 24 we celebrated number ONE! And, honestly, it was surprising for both of us how special it was. Ha, we couldn't stop smiling at each other. And I pranced around in my wedding dress for a little bit.
It was our "paper" anniversary. So he put a gift (such a lovely gift!) in a pretty paper bag and I wrote love notes on a roll of toilet paper. To read when ... well, you know.
I'm not sure that I can put a finger on what made it so special, but it was like this intimate knowing that we'd made it through one (really tough) year and we really did love each other. I've heard this a ton ... but I do think that I love him more than I did last year.
A-mazing.
Not to say that we've not had our ups and downs ... but, it was just good. Thank you for your goodness God.
And thank you JEREMY LEE for loving me!!
:-)
about being you.
5.30.2009
I unashamedly heart Henri Nouwen. Here's what he has to say about being you.
"Speak from that place in your heart where you are most yourself. Speak directly, simply, lovingly, gently and without any apologies. Tell us what you see and what us to see; tell us what you hear and want us to hear. Trust your own heart. The words will come. There is nothing to fear. Those who need you most will help you most. You can be sure I will."
"...hear these words spoken to you with all the tenderness and force that love can hold."
Something has changed. Am I more insecure? I want to write so badly, but (obviously) it doesn't happen. No inspiration in the last year of my life. However, I think, "Shouldn't it have been more inspiring than all the rest?" It wasn't.
It was angering, hurtful, confusing and depressing.
Well, not every part, but most.
And here I am, on the brink of something large, waiting, hoping and filled with anticipation of what the Father just might have in store for me.
"I've got more than you can even imagine." Really, seriously...? What could I imagine? Traveling? Ministering (for real)? Being a presence in peoples' lives? Doing something meaningful? Being a mom? Owning a creative business on the side? Inspiring people by... speaking??
There's a lot I can imagine, God. Surprise me. I'm yours.
"Speak from that place in your heart where you are most yourself. Speak directly, simply, lovingly, gently and without any apologies. Tell us what you see and what us to see; tell us what you hear and want us to hear. Trust your own heart. The words will come. There is nothing to fear. Those who need you most will help you most. You can be sure I will."
"...hear these words spoken to you with all the tenderness and force that love can hold."
Something has changed. Am I more insecure? I want to write so badly, but (obviously) it doesn't happen. No inspiration in the last year of my life. However, I think, "Shouldn't it have been more inspiring than all the rest?" It wasn't.
It was angering, hurtful, confusing and depressing.
Well, not every part, but most.
And here I am, on the brink of something large, waiting, hoping and filled with anticipation of what the Father just might have in store for me.
"I've got more than you can even imagine." Really, seriously...? What could I imagine? Traveling? Ministering (for real)? Being a presence in peoples' lives? Doing something meaningful? Being a mom? Owning a creative business on the side? Inspiring people by... speaking??
There's a lot I can imagine, God. Surprise me. I'm yours.
it's been almost a year
2.27.2009
i almost can't believe that i've neglected my blog for almost a year. (and geez, enough has happened)
and by "neglect" i really just mean, i-haven't-had-the-motivation-or-the-need-to-blog. plus, my husband read in his high-tech-y magazine that blogging was SO 2004. how intimidating is that? but actually, i think now, who cares? i'm feeling the need and really mommyBLOGS keep the world going 'round. i love them. i can't help it. must be the little mommy me inside. ha. (no worries, no babies yet...)
but another reason is, it's okay to blog now. i don't have to worry about being honest and having *someone* run into it that shouldn't be reading it. not that i would be writing anything horrible, it's just ... well... it's been the last year of my life. stifled. discouraged. wanting to beat a wall down but knowing it wouldn't help anything.
and now, i sit, job-hunting, avoiding huge dog slobbers, and scouting out craigslist for good deals i still can't afford. i have friends, but they all have lives now. responsibility. KIDS. for heaven's sake! :-) it's a good time of life, but also confusing and hard.
here's how it went.
quit job, moved to Idaho
had no friends, had no job
got married in May (*highlight*!)
got discouraged in June
stayed that way
made one friend
got a job in November
he got let go in December
moved to Kansas City
no job, some friends.
May His light be our guiding path because at least I know, I haven't a clue.
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