Late Night Whining

Wednesday evening I began to feel sick: my throat was scratchy, my body ached, and talk about mucous.  I was afraid I had strep while others said the flu.  Thursday morning, no improvement.  Thursday afternoon I was feeling significantly better.  Thursday night, my throat was scratching and sore and my sinuses complaining again and Friday morning was the same.  Friday afternoon like clock work I was feeling better and then Saturday morning not so much again.

Let's insert what I thought was the problem.  Wednesday afternoon I was cutting foam insulation board with a jigsaw and without a mask.  Thursday afternoon the same.  That seemed to be the connection until Saturday morning I was feeling gross again.  I chalked that up to just getting it all out of my system and last night I was feeling fine and looking forward to being over this self inflicted mess.

Then I wake at 4:20am with a sore, scratchy throat and sinus issues.  Are you kidding me?!?  I was so frustrated I almost began to cry.  I felt so helpless and clueless as to what is plaguing me.  My groggy mind concluded that whatever is making me want to rip out my throat must be in my bed.  So I sit here at 5am, as my husband dreams, complaining while listening to the washing machine (hopefully) decontaminating my bed spread.

Would you like to hear a story?

     How about the one about the step-sister made servant who is visited by her fairy godmother one special evening, given the makeover of a lifetime, and swept off her feet by the prince?
     Or the one about seven hard working minors dedicated to protecting a beautiful maiden in distress?
     Or the street boy who was granted wishes by a friendly genie, falls for the stunning princess, and discovers true love?
     Or the mermaid who gave up her voice to be with the one she loves?
     Or the virgin who was visited by an angel with a message that she was with child?

Using the term "story" in relation to Jesus Christ just grates my nervous.  I believe it casts a shade of fantasy and fiction.  I understand that English speakers also use the term "story" in relation to true events- movies are based on true stories, we share our personal stories with each other all the time.  However, movies are only a version of the real thing with altered facts to make it a better viewing experience and our retellings of events are often doused with exaggeration and skewed by our personal perspectives.  This is not the case when it come to the Bible.

I fear, especially with children, that simply by using this term we are putting Jesus in the category of the Disney Princesses, bedtime nursery rhymes, and Santa.  One of my close friends views this to be more of a positive than a negative, expressing that when their children are old enough to distinguish fiction from reality, they will investigate the Jesus story and thus solidify their faith.  Yes, possibly.  I am not saying that simply altering one term will prevent a child's confusion or suddenly convince an agnostic the truth of the Scriptures, but I don't see how it couldn't hurt.

Personally, I want to begin using the terminology "Biblical accounts" and the "news of Jesus."  In his book Church Planter, Darrin Patrick writes, "The writers of the New Testament refer to the obedient life, sacrificial and atoning death, and powerful resurrection of Jesus as news because they are reporting actual events that occurred in history..."  While the Father of Lies prowls the earth looking for someone to devour, I think changing my vocabulary is a simple war tactic to help in the fight against the deception of the enemy.

So would you like to hear a story, something sugary sweet that will tickle your ear?  Or would you like to hear the news about Jesus and his unconditional love for you?

This is what happens when you don't post my comments...

I thoroughly enjoy reading the blog of my friend Amanda Avery.  God has gifted her with an adorable, fun, conservative, bubbly, fired-up-balanced-with-wit-and-compassion personality and a quiet spirit that pours out in her writing, which God has also gifted her for.  I often find it to be uplifting and inspiring.  (While I was trying to find the words to describe Amanda, I found myself smiling uncontrollably and my heart was lighter than it had been before.  She just has a way about her.)  Check out this recent post.  Isn't she phenomenal?!?

Other times, I must confess, it makes me ill.  I become jealous: jealous of her gifts, jealous of her positive nature, jealous of how much she is loved by others, jealous that she is with those I love, jealous that her blog has more followers than mine, jealous of her heart.  I want to wake at 6am to sip on tea while I pray and journal.  I want my kids to say funny things and surprise me with their thoughts on God and life (well, if I had kids...).  I want to inspire others to be better than they are.  I want a cool nickname. 

And jealousy evolves.

I feel guilty that I don't roll out of bed until the sun is well into the sky.  I feel shameful that it is a well known fact that the first hour of my day is MINE and I am not to be bothered.  I fear I lack commitment because I can't keep a Bible reading schedule to save my physical life and have never been able to journal consistently.  Am I too busy?  Am I not positive enough?  Am I not fun enough?  Am I too worried?

Then I hear God whisper- "You are not Amanda."

But I want to be!

"I don't."

::breath::  Right.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

In his book Church Planter, Darrin Patrick writes, "Our focus should be on getting close to God... Different people will find different practices helpful.  So each one of us needs to learn how we best cultivate dependence on the Holy Spirit.  There is no formula: our goal should be simply to do whatever we need to do to cultivate more of a sense of dependence on God in our lives."

I need to stop comparing myself to others.  I need to stop focusing on what they have, how they are wired, and what they need and consider what I have, how I am wired, and what I need to draw nearer to the heart of God.

I had been thinking about all this when Amanda updated her blog with this post.  Funny.  I got it God; couldn't have said it louder than that.

And by the way Amanda, I am now very aware of using the word amazing and have excluded it from this post just for you!

Post 100 of 100

I made it!  Post 100 of 100!
Fireworks!  Explosions!  Confetti!

As a reminder, on June 25, 2010 my husband gave me a new camera with the task of taking one picture everyday and posting it on the internet.  It has taken me over 100 days to complete, 223 to be exact, but here we are- finally at the end.

And at the end, what do I desire to write about?

My husband.

I am madly in love with Corey Jones.  I am continually impressed with his integrity, character, and spiritual leadership.  He inspires me to be a better person.  I am honored to receive his love and proud to be his wife.  Life with Corey is always an adventure even if we are just hanging out together at home.  I remember within the first few weeks of being married we played catch while laying in bed and laughed ourselves silly.  Just the other night we were in bed cracking up at my inability to make sound effects.  He is my best friend.  He understands me, knows me, and cherishes me.  Life without him would be empty.  I'm forever grateful that God has worked within us as individuals and as a couple.

Now for those of you who may be wondering, I will continue to blog and post pictures with about the same regularity.  I appreciate those who have followed me on this journey that has helped shape my blog and I hope you stick around for whatever comes next!

Post 99 of 100

Here's a blog of random, totally unconnected things.

For my surprise birthday party back in September, Matt Proffitt made the best jalapeno poppers I've ever eaten (jalapenos halved and cleaned, stuffed with cream cheese, topped with shredded cheese, wrapped with bacon, and baked).  These treats have become a regular side for Corey and I.  He recently discovered a pan that we own that bakes them even better (the grease from the bacon drains off so the peppers don't fry and burn).  We had some the other day.  YUM!

I colored my hair again and am glad to be back to pink.  And BOY is it PINK!

Yesterday for lunch Corey and I went to Sunnyside Cafe.  We had pancakes, homemade biscuits (also referred to as "cat heads") with white pepper gravy, and "cat heads" with homemade jelly.  It was SUPER yummy.  Come for a a visit some time; we'd love to take you!

Post 98 of 100

This past weekend I attended CIY Super Start with a group of 4th through 6th graders and other adult volunteers.  We had a blast!  We were grouped into small groups of 2 adults and 2 kids.  I was with Deanna Wall, the Lead Pastor's wife, and Brooke and Jordan, two 5th grade girls.  Together we played games, attended the sessions, and spent the night in a hotel.

A few things from the weekend:
-Playing adult tag at a roller rink will guarantee the adults have more fun than the kids.
-If you are an adult standing at a station, the kids will automatically think you are in charge of it.  (Good thing I know how to play Ninja.)
-Brooke's love language is giving gifts, no doubt.  When kids have this love language they get flack from adults for spending all their parent's money.  I give them more money so they can spread more love.
-Hot Fries, Flaming Cheetos, pretzels, and Oreos are an acceptable mid-night snack in the mind of a 5th grader.
-Fake something one time and kids will doubt you forever after.
-Any similarities and you become just like "So and so."  When "So and so" is a big deal in the mind of a pre-teen, I'll take it as a compliment.
-If you are pregnant and on stage before a new audience, give them an update on your baby.  Curious minds want to know!  And showing a picture of your husband isn't a bad idea either or else everyone assumes the hottest guy on stage is your boo.
-If kids have no fear of getting out in dodge ball they become fearless and no one stands on the back wall.  It is not the fear of being struck that keeps kids from playing, but the fear of being seen as a loser.
-When traveling with a group always, ALWAYS take a head count before you leave.

Post 97 of 100

Over the past two weeks I have been reading the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis.  I've been really enjoying the books and personally think the movies do a great job of bringing the story to the screen.  Upon finishing the third book, I went to retrieve the fourth and discovered it GONE!

My mother bought me this series for Christmas years ago after I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  She purchased a box set that has AMAZING artwork on the cover.  I have taken good care of these books as we have moved and cherish this gift from my mom.  

So how on earth am I missing one?!?

I see three possibilities:

1)  I lent it out and that person has failed to return it.  I highly doubt this is the case.  First, why would someone ask to borrow only the fourth book of the series?  And knowing how I feel about these books, I know I wouldn't let someone borrow it for fear of them messing it up or not returning it to me.  So this isn't what happened.

2)  Someone "borrowed" it without my permission.  Maybe someone stayed at my house and began reading it and accidentally took it home with them or failed to mention to me that they wanted to borrow it?  Or maybe they out right stole it.  But again, why would someone only take the 4th book?  And I highly doubt that anyone I allowed to stay at my home would take something of mine.  No, this does not seem like a likely explanation either.

3)  I lost it.  The fourth book is about Prince Caspian.  Is it possible that prior to the second movie coming out, I attempted to read this book and some how misplaced it?  I have no recollection of such and it seems to be out of character for me considering my protection for these works and my need to read things in the order they are to be read.  However, this seems to be the only possible explanation.

Bummer.

I am now on a search for the missing book that matches the rest of my set.  In the mean time I'm reading some of the other books  I've been meaning to get to.