I used to try to decide, and I would ask people, which is worse: to love someone you can’t be with, or to want to love someone, but not have a relationship? When I was single, I thought it was the latter, but now I’m reconsidering. Today is Carlos’ 28th birthday, and he is half-way around the world on deployment… Again.
He was supposed to come home a week ago, but the government had other plans for him. My heart is sad… I missed our first Christmas, his birthday and our first anniversary last year, and now I’m missing our second. I didn’t know I signed up for this☹ And I thought maybe it would get easier… Yeah, it doesn’t.
I was trying to plan a big celebration this year, since we didn’t get one last year. I wanted to go to Hawaii (to also go to a friend’s wedding). Then I thought we should stay in WA, and go to an awesome resort, go white-water rafting, kayaking and horseback riding. Or I thought maybe we’d go to the fantastic hotel we stayed at our wedding night (across the parking lot from the best restaurant in Washington, and next to the Red Hook brewery and the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery.) None of my plans came to fruition.
Sigh. I am not very good at grieving the loss of him. I either busy myself at home (I planted 53 things in one day, with my mom’s help!!), or avoid home like crazy… I just hate looking over at his side of the bed when he’s not there. Having Burly helps a ton, but no pet is a replacement of your true companion. I immediately planned a trip to Texas when I learned of his change of plans. I was all set to go ahead when Los called me out on avoiding reality.
Dangit. How do you do it? How do you tell your heart just keep waiting? The definition of patience is long suffering. I believe it. There’s something beautiful about it, because it keeps my heart in the right place, longing for his. But it is also like torture. I love the Navy, for all it has unexpectedly brought into and provided for our lives (the people, the places, the Kingdom of God in surprising ways); but this is certainly the hardest part. I am proud of Los, and glad his heart is for service. But Godspeed October when I can wrap my arms around that guy… (it doesn’t help that my ‘love languages’ are quality time and physical touch, eh?)
Holler at me if you have free time, I am available☺
OUR THOUGHTS ON LIFE AS WE GO FOR IT, ONE DAY AT A TIME...
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
San Francisco- great sea food and Gordon Biersch fries
One of my goals in life was to go to every state in the United States. Now that this has almost been accomplished (5 left), my next goal is to be on every continent, in as many countries as possible. Call it the travel bug, call it wanderlust, call it what you will; I just can’t get enough! I love people and places, I love marveling at the diversity of creation.
And luckily, one of my favorite places I have ever been is somewhere I can go regularly, the Bay Area. Living in Berkeley (5 years ago now, I can’t believe it has been that long since I moved there) was one of the highlights of my life. It had a lot of what I love about Seattle, plus it was close enough to drive to see my family in a couple of hours.
I went there this weekend with my parents, and had the most fabulous time. We got to eat at the world’s best pizza place, www.zacharys.com, and then go into the City for the night. While my fam went to a musical, I hung out and read in Union Square. I sat by a mentally-ill homeless woman for about ½ an hour and she cracked me up. I paid sporadic attention to the monologue she was having, it was quite entertaining. I love the worldwide class of SF, combined with the culture and grittiness it has.
I stayed at my cousin’s cute apartment in the Marina district (she’s a bigshot for Banana Republic and gets to travel around the world- jealous!). That is such a fun neighborhood, and we walked along the beach toward the Golden Gate Bridge in the morning. I used to really look up to her when I was a kid. It was special to hang out with her and reflect on life; somehow we both became adults!
Sunday afternoon we all went to the Giants-Dodgers game, which was a blast. My dad is a diehard LA fan, growing up in the 50s and hiding his transistor radio under his pillow at night when he was supposed to be asleep, so he could listen to the games… Conversely, my step-mom grew up watching Willie Mays and the Giants. So their rivalry is hilarious. We sat right above the dugout in these killer seats, and I got to see my homie Barry Bonds in action. We chowed down on the game food and enjoyed the close game. Afterwards we decided this is going to an annual tradition.
I like it. I’m in.
And luckily, one of my favorite places I have ever been is somewhere I can go regularly, the Bay Area. Living in Berkeley (5 years ago now, I can’t believe it has been that long since I moved there) was one of the highlights of my life. It had a lot of what I love about Seattle, plus it was close enough to drive to see my family in a couple of hours.
I went there this weekend with my parents, and had the most fabulous time. We got to eat at the world’s best pizza place, www.zacharys.com, and then go into the City for the night. While my fam went to a musical, I hung out and read in Union Square. I sat by a mentally-ill homeless woman for about ½ an hour and she cracked me up. I paid sporadic attention to the monologue she was having, it was quite entertaining. I love the worldwide class of SF, combined with the culture and grittiness it has.
I stayed at my cousin’s cute apartment in the Marina district (she’s a bigshot for Banana Republic and gets to travel around the world- jealous!). That is such a fun neighborhood, and we walked along the beach toward the Golden Gate Bridge in the morning. I used to really look up to her when I was a kid. It was special to hang out with her and reflect on life; somehow we both became adults!
Sunday afternoon we all went to the Giants-Dodgers game, which was a blast. My dad is a diehard LA fan, growing up in the 50s and hiding his transistor radio under his pillow at night when he was supposed to be asleep, so he could listen to the games… Conversely, my step-mom grew up watching Willie Mays and the Giants. So their rivalry is hilarious. We sat right above the dugout in these killer seats, and I got to see my homie Barry Bonds in action. We chowed down on the game food and enjoyed the close game. Afterwards we decided this is going to an annual tradition.
I like it. I’m in.
Reconciling with my past
For some reason, it has taken me a long time to be okay with ‘where I came from.’ I don’t know if any of you have ever felt this, but if so, speak up, I would love to know I am not alone.
Maybe this is a normal coping mechanism, but who knows. When I went to college, I was proud to tell everyone I was from California. I loved growing up there, and had a fabulous experience there. Everyone in Seattle that was from the Northwest would think it was ‘cool’ that I was from CA. But everyone from CA in Seattle would ask the clarifying, “where from?” and when I said Fresno, they would put me down, “oh that place sucks.” That was surprisingly damaging to me, and I learned to feel embarrassed of my hometown, when I hadn’t been previously.
After that I had this compulsion to adopt the Northwest as my ‘home’ and to distance myself from where I grew up. I was kind of ashamed, in a way… Apparently it isn’t as cultured as the Bay Area, and doesn’t have as much fashion as LA, or the beaches of So Cal, nor the green of Tahoe. It is a close drive from everywhere, but doesn’t have much itself. Except it does, the community there is great, and I am thankful for it.
It took me years to embrace what the “Valley” has to offer. Even though there are 500,000 people there, I love the small-town feel, where people know each other. And funny enough, but I love the agriculture, even though people mock it for being farmland. It is humble, and I like that. And they provide most of the nation’s food! On our way to/from San Francisco this weekend, we passed a million wine and table grape vineyards, as well as pomegranate and almond groves, and acres and acres of onions, garlic, melons, hay and alfalfa, among other things. I like that my homeland nourishes the nation, however ungrateful everyone else is.
I finally realized that you don’t have to polarize one place as ‘good’ and another as ‘bad.’ Doing that says more about a weird insecurity/need inside of you, than it reflects on a place. You can appreciate different things about different places, and allow other people to feel open to tell you about what they cherish from their hometown. This summer we had a couple over for dinner, and when I asked the girl where she was from, she mentioned a town in Idaho and seemed embarrassed, as I had been in college. When I asked more, she came alive and was proud of where she grew up, and it was cool to hear her heart. And to finally feel more reconciled in my own…
Maybe this is a normal coping mechanism, but who knows. When I went to college, I was proud to tell everyone I was from California. I loved growing up there, and had a fabulous experience there. Everyone in Seattle that was from the Northwest would think it was ‘cool’ that I was from CA. But everyone from CA in Seattle would ask the clarifying, “where from?” and when I said Fresno, they would put me down, “oh that place sucks.” That was surprisingly damaging to me, and I learned to feel embarrassed of my hometown, when I hadn’t been previously.
After that I had this compulsion to adopt the Northwest as my ‘home’ and to distance myself from where I grew up. I was kind of ashamed, in a way… Apparently it isn’t as cultured as the Bay Area, and doesn’t have as much fashion as LA, or the beaches of So Cal, nor the green of Tahoe. It is a close drive from everywhere, but doesn’t have much itself. Except it does, the community there is great, and I am thankful for it.
It took me years to embrace what the “Valley” has to offer. Even though there are 500,000 people there, I love the small-town feel, where people know each other. And funny enough, but I love the agriculture, even though people mock it for being farmland. It is humble, and I like that. And they provide most of the nation’s food! On our way to/from San Francisco this weekend, we passed a million wine and table grape vineyards, as well as pomegranate and almond groves, and acres and acres of onions, garlic, melons, hay and alfalfa, among other things. I like that my homeland nourishes the nation, however ungrateful everyone else is.
I finally realized that you don’t have to polarize one place as ‘good’ and another as ‘bad.’ Doing that says more about a weird insecurity/need inside of you, than it reflects on a place. You can appreciate different things about different places, and allow other people to feel open to tell you about what they cherish from their hometown. This summer we had a couple over for dinner, and when I asked the girl where she was from, she mentioned a town in Idaho and seemed embarrassed, as I had been in college. When I asked more, she came alive and was proud of where she grew up, and it was cool to hear her heart. And to finally feel more reconciled in my own…
Sadly, no new puppy...
I met her, and she was really sweet... but on the way to CA I realized that would be too much for us for now. I am about to get my husband back, resume school, and start working in a hospital doing spiritual care, which I am excited about; but that is a lot, to throw in potty-training to the mix. In a year we'll live somewhere else in the world (CA, FL, overseas???) and begin a new chapter of life, but for now we're busy enough finishing this one well with the investments we have... And Burly is enough for us to dote on in the meantime.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thank God for Pumpkin Spice Lattes...
Seriously. They are back in your friendly neighborhood Starbucks (or in my case, one of the many Starbucks' in the neighborhood), and their timing couldn't be better; boy do I need them... The joys of grad. school. Inspired by my friend Nick, I thought I'd do a countdown of my insanity. For one of this week's 3 exams, in the next 10 hours (note, that would mean I will not sleep tonight, hence the gratitude to Starbucks for the quad-shot venti latte) I have to write 15 pages by 6am. Why 6am? Because then I have to drive to school to turn it in. There's no emailing or mailing this one in, it must be hand-delivered, l-a-m-e. And then I turn around on the freeway and start reading for my second one, due by midnight on Saturday... And I did mention that I fell down the stairs and my neck/back feel like I was in a car accident, didn't I? But, alas, I have no time to go to the hospital until at least tomorrow. Maybe I can read in the waiting room.
Oh don't you all miss school? Good times. Wish me luck. As I always say, it's not the writing of 15 pages that I have a problem with, it's the figuring out what to say for 15 pages that gets me... Here goes...
Oh don't you all miss school? Good times. Wish me luck. As I always say, it's not the writing of 15 pages that I have a problem with, it's the figuring out what to say for 15 pages that gets me... Here goes...
Pray for my neck and my back
So last night, almost asleep, I walked down the stairs and tripped over Burly. So we both fell down the stairs. After I figured out I hadn't broken his leg, I laid there and cried, it hurt so bad. My wrists/elbows/ribs/spine/neck... all feel like I'm a hockey player or something. Today I am super stiff/sore. Nothing's broken, praise God, but I need to go to a chiropractor quickly... Pray that I get better soon, I have 3 exams due in the next week, I don't have time to be in so much pain.
This is my third time being careless in the past month. First I burnt my finger, sticking it in the oven on to a 400 degree pan... 2nd degree burn. Not good. Then I was gardening and dropped my clippers, sharp points down on to my big toe this weekend. Blood gushed everywhere. Unbelieveable. So if bad things happen in 3's I should be in the clear; but in any case, pray for my neck/back. Meanwhile, I'm gonna get an IV of Ibuprofen:)
This is my third time being careless in the past month. First I burnt my finger, sticking it in the oven on to a 400 degree pan... 2nd degree burn. Not good. Then I was gardening and dropped my clippers, sharp points down on to my big toe this weekend. Blood gushed everywhere. Unbelieveable. So if bad things happen in 3's I should be in the clear; but in any case, pray for my neck/back. Meanwhile, I'm gonna get an IV of Ibuprofen:)
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
NEW PUPPY!!!
Burly's getting a little black sister! We're trying to come up with the best name on earth, any suggestions? Our 'theme', if you will, is geographical locations... too many choices. I'm liking Brooklyn and Bellingham (Belle, or Hammy as nicknames)... Los likes Brasil and Beijing:)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Ethics and sports- mutually exlusive? Since when?
I grew up in a family who worshipped sports above all else, the daily sports page was the Bible by which we lived, breathed and had our being. That’s why I’ve been interested recently, as scandals have crossed the globe in all kinds of sports. From referees game-fixing, to athletes’ use of illegal substances, hardly any organization has clean hands in the matter. ESPN just finished a series of stories this summer, called “Cheatwave,” trying to engage people in the problems of cheating in the past, present and future. With genetic engineers’ current research, it will soon be possible, supposedly, for athletes to be given performance-enhancing genes. Where did the purity and integrity in sport go?
ESPN’s contention was that cheating has become much more commonplace than it was a generation ago, and makes the argument that it will go on until we fans refuse to support it monetarily. However, many people critique the organization, saying that ESPN itself is one reason why sports have become entertainment, and players, stars in our culture, who we exalt to an unhealthy status. Americans love winning, and don’t mind ignoring illegal activity if the scoreboard ends up in their favor.
What was more alarming to me, than fans reactions to the athletes, was the quiz results ESPN posed for readers. Almost 50,000 people over this past weekend filled out an online quiz about their cheating habits, and the results echoed their sentiments toward others. Only 15% of the readers said that they never cheat, and the highest score for something people would never do was a question about parking in a handicapped space. On the contrary, more people said they would cheat on the person they date or their spouse. Our culture has something wrong with it.
ESPN quoted David Callahan, author of the book, The Cheating Culture, who insists that “the integrity that seems to be leaking out of sports simply mirrors the ongoing erosion of ethics in our society.” And readers defending against ESPN’s critique of sport, “noted the questionable ethics of our political, corporate and, in certain cases, religious leaders. They asked who are we to question the integrity of our athletes when we speed on the interstate, cheat on our taxes and falsify our résumés?” Many assume ethics and sport cannot go hand in hand.
I find this issue fascinating, sad, and problematic for multiple reasons. For one, the billions of dollars our country invests in sport could be spent many other, healthy, ways. And I seriously doubt changes to that effect will ever be made. But more importantly, these ‘idols/heroes’ of sport are communicating to youth that it is okay to take short-cuts in life, a dangerous message across the board that says winning is more important than integrity.
In my own family, when I become a mom, as well as in ministry situations with youth, I will try to juxtapose those who cheat with those who have integrity. The maxim that “cheaters never win” certainly isn’t true in the short-run, so I will try to focus on the long-view of life. I imagine this will be something challenging we’ll face the rest of our lives, as the advantages one can gain from cheating, in any circumstance, can be enticing and deceiving, though wrong.
ESPN’s contention was that cheating has become much more commonplace than it was a generation ago, and makes the argument that it will go on until we fans refuse to support it monetarily. However, many people critique the organization, saying that ESPN itself is one reason why sports have become entertainment, and players, stars in our culture, who we exalt to an unhealthy status. Americans love winning, and don’t mind ignoring illegal activity if the scoreboard ends up in their favor.
What was more alarming to me, than fans reactions to the athletes, was the quiz results ESPN posed for readers. Almost 50,000 people over this past weekend filled out an online quiz about their cheating habits, and the results echoed their sentiments toward others. Only 15% of the readers said that they never cheat, and the highest score for something people would never do was a question about parking in a handicapped space. On the contrary, more people said they would cheat on the person they date or their spouse. Our culture has something wrong with it.
ESPN quoted David Callahan, author of the book, The Cheating Culture, who insists that “the integrity that seems to be leaking out of sports simply mirrors the ongoing erosion of ethics in our society.” And readers defending against ESPN’s critique of sport, “noted the questionable ethics of our political, corporate and, in certain cases, religious leaders. They asked who are we to question the integrity of our athletes when we speed on the interstate, cheat on our taxes and falsify our résumés?” Many assume ethics and sport cannot go hand in hand.
I find this issue fascinating, sad, and problematic for multiple reasons. For one, the billions of dollars our country invests in sport could be spent many other, healthy, ways. And I seriously doubt changes to that effect will ever be made. But more importantly, these ‘idols/heroes’ of sport are communicating to youth that it is okay to take short-cuts in life, a dangerous message across the board that says winning is more important than integrity.
In my own family, when I become a mom, as well as in ministry situations with youth, I will try to juxtapose those who cheat with those who have integrity. The maxim that “cheaters never win” certainly isn’t true in the short-run, so I will try to focus on the long-view of life. I imagine this will be something challenging we’ll face the rest of our lives, as the advantages one can gain from cheating, in any circumstance, can be enticing and deceiving, though wrong.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Europe 3.0
Well #1, I finally didn't get sick on a vacation, so that was super... But the stress of having a car/not being able to read road signs, etc. was enough to make a person crazy. Maybe that should be another blog, European lowlights? But this is the highlights. So...
*Being with my brother in a foreign country. He is just cool. And as much as we are different, and hardly know each other as adults; it was really special to see him in his element, living Euro... He has huge hair, is super tall, and rides a scooter. So he majorly sticks out over there, it's pretty funny. But he keeps it real.
*Hiking Cinque Terre in Italy. Absolutely GORGEOUS view and the strenuous hike was way worth it. Put this on your list as a must-do in your lifetime.
*Seeing all the cute coastal villages in Italy. I'd recommend Monterosso over where we stayed in Riomaggiore.
*The South of France. Gorgeous mediteranean sea, next to massive vineyards in Provence, sooo peaceful.
*Aix-en-Provence. Go there. Sit in a cafe on Cours Mirabeau, the "most beautiful street in all of Europe." You'll be glad you did.
*Buying wine= one of the best things I did was bring an extra rolly suitcase and carry it on to the plane. I bought tons of wine, champagne, olive oil, soaps and gifts and had lots of space for it.
*Going to the Brocante. For my mother-in-law, we went to a 'flea market' and saw all this old awesome stuff that French peeps didn't want anymore. If I had more money, I would've bought beautiful silver serving pieces, but instead we bought cute old french kids books, etc. It was a lot more fun than shopping at touristy places, because it was all authentic. Next time I would buy linens and house stuff.
*Lac d'Annecy= Gorgeous. Go to Annecy in your lifetime. You'll be glad you did. I will be back there in my life, I hope.
*Switzerland. Love it. I've now been almost everywhere in the whole country (a ski trip to the Jungfrau region will complete my journeys there). Go there, eat the chocolate, it will change your life. And eat Raclette if you can:)
*Chartres- I'll post pics of the cathedral where we got engaged, but it was so special to revisit it with my mom and in the summer. A majestic, 800+ year old place.
*and lastly, Paris... My third time there, and it never fails to impress. I took my mom to our favorite restaurant, Fuxia, and it was the best meal of the whole trip. They grow their own grapes in vineyards in the south of France, Italy, and Chile, and they have a market up the street from the restaurant where they sell all their stuff. Awesome. I bought some for Los for an anniversary present. Don't tell, it's a surprise.
*we got there on the last day of the Tour de France, so that was a cool experience, seeing all the decorations up around the Champs Elysees, etc. I almost bought Los a jersey, but they were 80 Euro (over $100 USD) so I balked. I got him soccer shorts from PSG instead:)
Over all, even with it's stresses, this trip was awesome. I got to go to a lot of towns/cities I'd never been to before, and unlike my first time in Europe, I didn't hear too much English/meet that many Americans (which was a good thing). I think we picked places to stay/visit that Europeans were vacationing in, which I took as a good sign. I found some quaint, untouristy villages that I would love to go to again, as well as appreciated a couple popular places (Italy, and Paris).
When we go to Europe again, I'd love to see other areas (Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey/Greece, etc.) but it's always great to go to these countries I know and love. I'd love to hear advice from you who've been to other countries, and/or to encourage you to travel where we have! Gimme a holler...
*Being with my brother in a foreign country. He is just cool. And as much as we are different, and hardly know each other as adults; it was really special to see him in his element, living Euro... He has huge hair, is super tall, and rides a scooter. So he majorly sticks out over there, it's pretty funny. But he keeps it real.
*Hiking Cinque Terre in Italy. Absolutely GORGEOUS view and the strenuous hike was way worth it. Put this on your list as a must-do in your lifetime.
*Seeing all the cute coastal villages in Italy. I'd recommend Monterosso over where we stayed in Riomaggiore.
*The South of France. Gorgeous mediteranean sea, next to massive vineyards in Provence, sooo peaceful.
*Aix-en-Provence. Go there. Sit in a cafe on Cours Mirabeau, the "most beautiful street in all of Europe." You'll be glad you did.
*Buying wine= one of the best things I did was bring an extra rolly suitcase and carry it on to the plane. I bought tons of wine, champagne, olive oil, soaps and gifts and had lots of space for it.
*Going to the Brocante. For my mother-in-law, we went to a 'flea market' and saw all this old awesome stuff that French peeps didn't want anymore. If I had more money, I would've bought beautiful silver serving pieces, but instead we bought cute old french kids books, etc. It was a lot more fun than shopping at touristy places, because it was all authentic. Next time I would buy linens and house stuff.
*Lac d'Annecy= Gorgeous. Go to Annecy in your lifetime. You'll be glad you did. I will be back there in my life, I hope.
*Switzerland. Love it. I've now been almost everywhere in the whole country (a ski trip to the Jungfrau region will complete my journeys there). Go there, eat the chocolate, it will change your life. And eat Raclette if you can:)
*Chartres- I'll post pics of the cathedral where we got engaged, but it was so special to revisit it with my mom and in the summer. A majestic, 800+ year old place.
*and lastly, Paris... My third time there, and it never fails to impress. I took my mom to our favorite restaurant, Fuxia, and it was the best meal of the whole trip. They grow their own grapes in vineyards in the south of France, Italy, and Chile, and they have a market up the street from the restaurant where they sell all their stuff. Awesome. I bought some for Los for an anniversary present. Don't tell, it's a surprise.
*we got there on the last day of the Tour de France, so that was a cool experience, seeing all the decorations up around the Champs Elysees, etc. I almost bought Los a jersey, but they were 80 Euro (over $100 USD) so I balked. I got him soccer shorts from PSG instead:)
Over all, even with it's stresses, this trip was awesome. I got to go to a lot of towns/cities I'd never been to before, and unlike my first time in Europe, I didn't hear too much English/meet that many Americans (which was a good thing). I think we picked places to stay/visit that Europeans were vacationing in, which I took as a good sign. I found some quaint, untouristy villages that I would love to go to again, as well as appreciated a couple popular places (Italy, and Paris).
When we go to Europe again, I'd love to see other areas (Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey/Greece, etc.) but it's always great to go to these countries I know and love. I'd love to hear advice from you who've been to other countries, and/or to encourage you to travel where we have! Gimme a holler...
Airplanes
I am not sure how my husband can fly for a living... After 12 legs around the world this summer, if I don't get on another flight for months, I will be one happy camper. The waiting, the stale air, the back pain in uncomfortable chairs, the small bathrooms, the turbulence, the less than ideal food, the crying babies, the lack of adequate sleep, the grumpy flight attendents, the damaged/lost luggage, the bomb scares at airports, oh man... I used to love flying, but I'm having second thoughts about that!
I will say this. Qantas to/from SYD was great (I watched 8 movies), and the people in the airports in Melbourne and Sydney are so relaxed, I love that. My Alaska flights to/from OAK also went well. Flying from SEA to SJC was fine but not out of SJC, that was my worst flight (a plane crashed on the runway with a malfunction, then our flight attendant fainted, we were just hanging out there forever...). Delta sucked, both to ATL and to ZRH (Switzerland), they were disorganized/chaotic. Air France was okay, the direct flight from Paris to Seattle was novel. I watched Blades of Glory multiple times to keep myself amused... I need to meet some rich people, so I can fly first-class, I envy their lay-down beds... and the food they get is way better... What's up with that! I'm gonna start saving my pennies...
I will say this. Qantas to/from SYD was great (I watched 8 movies), and the people in the airports in Melbourne and Sydney are so relaxed, I love that. My Alaska flights to/from OAK also went well. Flying from SEA to SJC was fine but not out of SJC, that was my worst flight (a plane crashed on the runway with a malfunction, then our flight attendant fainted, we were just hanging out there forever...). Delta sucked, both to ATL and to ZRH (Switzerland), they were disorganized/chaotic. Air France was okay, the direct flight from Paris to Seattle was novel. I watched Blades of Glory multiple times to keep myself amused... I need to meet some rich people, so I can fly first-class, I envy their lay-down beds... and the food they get is way better... What's up with that! I'm gonna start saving my pennies...
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Australia intro to sermon:)
Have you ever come back from a “vacation” and been exhausted? Have you ever thought you needed a vacation from your “vacation?” I use quotation marks with the word vacation because my husband has banned me from using that word to describe future trips we take. This week he said that a vacation would be relaxing and being rejuvenated from the stress of normal life. You see, trips I plan are nothing like that… they are more like adventures.
For some reason I think I need to cram as much as possible into our trips. Who knows if I’ll ever go back to a place? So I want to make the most of every opportunity. We just went to Australia for a couple weeks. I wanted to see a new part of the world, to hear the orchestra play at the Sydney Opera House, to smell the Eucalyptus as we hiked through the Blue Mountains, to taste interesting new foods and wine, and most of all to swim in God’s aquatic masterpiece, the Great Barrier Reef.
Everyone we met there from other parts of the world laughed when we told them our itinerary; they were taking months to accomplish what we jammed into 10 days. And wouldn’t you know, after adding too many things to my proverbial plate, my body finally called it quits. I got sick. And let me tell you, a 13 hour plane ride with a splitting headache and ears which refuse to adjust to the pressure, is miserable.
Now, if this were the first time this had happened to me, I might hope for your sympathy. But unfortunately, this has become a pattern in my life on vacations. My family jokes that I only get sick in exotic destinations. Apparently my brain is too dense to realize that my body is sending the message, “Stop! Stop. Adding too many things to the agenda is not healthy. It is dangerous, and it can destroy you.”
Perhaps you all are wiser than me, but I wonder if you also fall into the myth that ‘more is more’ in some way? I could preach a whole sermon on how both our culture and the church is frequently saturated with this lie that more is more or better. And those who rebel and ascribe to the minimalist, less is more, philosophy aren’t automatically off the hook either, because usually there is some pride and judgment in comparison to the other camp. We can make idols either way. There is a need to throw out that whole continuum; life is not about either end, indulging or abstaining, or achieving mythical ‘balance’ to have an equal ratio of each. Life is about being faithful to God and living in rhythm with him. And if we are entangled in idolatry, making anything else bigger than it deserves to be, we can’t devote ourselves whole-heartedly to God. We need to learn how to let things in our lives be in their proper places, so that we can make the most of our lives
For some reason I think I need to cram as much as possible into our trips. Who knows if I’ll ever go back to a place? So I want to make the most of every opportunity. We just went to Australia for a couple weeks. I wanted to see a new part of the world, to hear the orchestra play at the Sydney Opera House, to smell the Eucalyptus as we hiked through the Blue Mountains, to taste interesting new foods and wine, and most of all to swim in God’s aquatic masterpiece, the Great Barrier Reef.
Everyone we met there from other parts of the world laughed when we told them our itinerary; they were taking months to accomplish what we jammed into 10 days. And wouldn’t you know, after adding too many things to my proverbial plate, my body finally called it quits. I got sick. And let me tell you, a 13 hour plane ride with a splitting headache and ears which refuse to adjust to the pressure, is miserable.
Now, if this were the first time this had happened to me, I might hope for your sympathy. But unfortunately, this has become a pattern in my life on vacations. My family jokes that I only get sick in exotic destinations. Apparently my brain is too dense to realize that my body is sending the message, “Stop! Stop. Adding too many things to the agenda is not healthy. It is dangerous, and it can destroy you.”
Perhaps you all are wiser than me, but I wonder if you also fall into the myth that ‘more is more’ in some way? I could preach a whole sermon on how both our culture and the church is frequently saturated with this lie that more is more or better. And those who rebel and ascribe to the minimalist, less is more, philosophy aren’t automatically off the hook either, because usually there is some pride and judgment in comparison to the other camp. We can make idols either way. There is a need to throw out that whole continuum; life is not about either end, indulging or abstaining, or achieving mythical ‘balance’ to have an equal ratio of each. Life is about being faithful to God and living in rhythm with him. And if we are entangled in idolatry, making anything else bigger than it deserves to be, we can’t devote ourselves whole-heartedly to God. We need to learn how to let things in our lives be in their proper places, so that we can make the most of our lives
Whirlwind summer
So my plan was to write about Australia right after we got back. But then life happened, and it's now a month later... Between the catch up in yard work, playing with friends, 3 summer school classes and a week in Pebble Beach/Carmel, CA with family for the 4th- time flew! And now I have a week until I go to Europe, in which I have to do a Greek mid-term, an Ethics final, write 13 pages, and interview for a chaplaincy job at a hospital... Plus my college pastor's leaving our church this weekend, which I'm grieving, and I have a retreat this weekend. Whew.
So I hope I can make time to write about AUS some time. I'm not sure if I'm a poor steward of my writing, or if I'm not in a season where writing needs to happen as frequently as it used to. I feel blessed when I do it, and other people always encourage that gift in me, but it doesn't seem to be happening naturally. I don't know, do you know what I mean? Some gifts you always do, and others come and go with seasons?
Anyway, it was a great trip. I shared some it in a sermon I gave last month; I could post that part up...
So I hope I can make time to write about AUS some time. I'm not sure if I'm a poor steward of my writing, or if I'm not in a season where writing needs to happen as frequently as it used to. I feel blessed when I do it, and other people always encourage that gift in me, but it doesn't seem to be happening naturally. I don't know, do you know what I mean? Some gifts you always do, and others come and go with seasons?
Anyway, it was a great trip. I shared some it in a sermon I gave last month; I could post that part up...
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