Can't do this much longer

OMG! I didn't realize that it's been since the end of July since I blogged! The pic in that blog was taken at the Watermelon Day parade. So hot that day. Since then Marshall and I have been to church camp and he's continued to grow leaps and bounds. The picture with this post was taken today. He's grown 21 pounds since he came home July 1! So I don't know how much longer I will be able to pick him up for a picture! Ha.

He did very well at church camp and, as you might expect, was a big hit with the teenagers and adults there. He behaved himself very well (98% of the time) and proved to the camp minister that it was OK for him to be there. He stayed in my room and never had an accident. Thank goodness for "Aunt Pete", my sister-in-law, who was there as camp nurse and who often took him for his walks and potty breaks when I was busy. But he slept a lot in the two hiding places he found (behind the bed and under the bed).

We started puppy classes right after camp and he's doing pretty well. He wants to pull on his leash a lot sometimes and they've given me a "Gentle Lead" to try on him when we walk or train. But he's very good with his come, sit, stand, lay, listen. He even goes thru the tunnel without fear. I have to remember that he's the youngest one there as he fell between the classes in age, so they bumped him to the older class.

In other areas, we continue to prepare for Bob & Annie's wedding... it's coming up very, very soon! But they are so organized everything seems to be on track. Of course, just before the wedding there will be a huge flurry of activity with all those things that you can't do until just before. I'm sure I'll post a picture or two after the wedding of the beautiful couple.

God has blessed me with friends, family, and even a furry four legged companion. Like the hymn says "Count Your Blessings" and that's what I do on those days, we all have them, that leave us a bit down in the dumps. There's also lots of activity to keep me busy, especially with the 'new year' getting started at church with all the meetings and choir starting soon. I hope you are aware of the blessings that God sends your way as well! God is good and sends us what we need, just when we need it. Amen.

I told you he was growing

OK... the picture is not so great of me... we just finished walking from the church to the beginning of the Watermelon Day parade, the length of the parade, and then half way back to the beginning, with a stop to get Marshall come water at the concession stand. My friend, Kay., wanted a pic of Marshall and I... so I picked him up... not realizing how hot, red and sweaty and looked. But he has changed since the last picture posted. It was a great day all around. Lots of people, fun at the carnival, lots of folks working hard at carnival activities, parade coordination and entries, entertainment, good food of the usual Lionburgers and hot dogs. Team Hope not only walked in the parade as a team (to promote the Relay for Life), but worked the ring toss activity this year. I did the parade and a shift at ring toss... but when I was to do cashier at the concessions area in the evening a huge storm came up suddenly and everything got shut down. That's OK... they were running out of food anyway. :-) Fortunately, I'd DRIVEN to the park for the evening with Marshall instead of walking up so we only had to run through the pouring rain for about 100 feet.

We are leaving going to church camp on Sunday. I'll probably post something from there if I get time. We'll see how everything goes with the four-footed camper staying with me.

Dog and God

Every day I look at my Golden, Marshall and swear that he has grown overnight. He's sort of like Iowa corn... you can almost see him growing before your eyes. When he first came home he weight just under 15 pounds. When I weighed him on my home scale yesterday, he weighed 20 pounds! That means 5 pounds in 2.5 weeks! Or ... another way.... he gained 33% of his first weight in the next couple weeks. Geez! If I did that I'd be in big trouble. But he's a growing boy and very, very smart. He is already pretty much housebroken. He goes to the door and rings the bells to let me know he needs out... or in the night he barks to wake me up and let me know he needs outs.

It strange, but it's too bad we don't have more of a relationship like that with God. We are dependent upon God for everything and yet we think that we did it all on our own. Our whole being is because of God. And, like Marshall, I can choose to learn from my mistakes or continue to repeat them. I can find out that doing what is expected makes my life a whole lot easier, or I can buck the system (so to speak) and be on edge and wondering why. But also, like Marshall, we need to learn to let God know what we need and let God help (like when I open the door). God wants to open the doors for us, God wants to give us what we need (if not what we always want). God wants to love us and scratch us behind the ears and make us feel happy. OK... you know what I mean.

Oh... and Marshall was a big hit at Watermelon Day. He walked in the parade with Team Hope, our Relay for Life team. We all wore purple shirts for Relay so he had a new purple leash that said "American Cancer Society" and "Relay for Life" on it... and a purple bandana that had "ACS RFL" Everyone fell in love with him. And I didn't realize how many people have gotten to meet him, but all along the parade route we could hear, "There's Marshall! Hi, Marshall!" He's a town celebrity.

Another male in my life

Well... one more guy in my life... grew up with two brothers... single-mom to my wonderful son, and now a new guy.... with four legs. No, not a mutant. A puppy. Marshall Tumani Kwa Moore is a purebred Golden Retriever. His mom, Molly, and dad, Moses, belong to a friend of mine, Rev. Sylvia. He was born on May 9, 2008. He's met lots of people in the last week since leaving his mama and has done really well. He's getting much more comfortable with his surroundings... and bolder. Be in the heat he likes to sleep a lot... or play outside in the night. And... I'm hoping that maybe he'll be the best anti-depressant around... he already has (except for I'm tired from those every-3-hours trips outside just as I'm really getting into deep sleep, but that will pass). He's so smart and I think someday he'll make a great therapy dog as well as my buddy.

His middle name (Tumani Kwa) is Swahili and means "Hope for". One: Hope is big in my life... as my Bible Life Verse is Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "Plans for your welfare and not your harm, plans to give you a future with HOPE." TWO: I live in a town that has HOPE in its name. THREE: Our church camp and 2 counselors helped send money (and the 2 counselors) to a grade-school in Tanzania with beautiful children who had nowhere to learn near by until the school was guilt. The money helped build a new school room to their small school. The school's name? Tumaini English School.... School of Hope. FOUR: I love word play with my name... so if you know me... say his English translation middle name with my last name and you'll see my philosophy. :-)

I'm going to try to post a picture, but in the past when I've tried, it hasn't worked.

Accountability

OK...so I'm really rotten at blogging. But I just posted a 'tracker' chart that I created to keep track of weight loss. I must admit, I'm not really trying to lose weight right now... but for some reason I am. But when it does start to come off, it does give me incentive (some) to work at it. And, with a tracker posted on my blog, it will keep me accountable for my success and for my failure. We'll see what happens. Of course... if I'm as bad at keeping track of my weight as I am at blogging, then I could gain or lose 50 pounds and no one would know it (well, ok, those of you who actually SEE me would know it). LOL

Teenage Again?

Well...it's been a very up and down, roller coaster week. But first I must admit that I'm bad at adding to my blog and see it's been a MONTH since my last post. I will try to do better! OK, Back to my week. Last Friday on my way to the Executive Meeting for the Regional Board I had my van break down. That was a huge DOWN. Fortunately, I was able to drive to a service station who delivered the bad news... it's about to throw a rod... new engine or new car. Since a new engine would cost 2-3 times more than the van is currently worth... I was in trouble. Called Enterprise... they really do pick you up! They came in a black HUMMER to get me... assured me (whew) that the hummer was NOT what they were going to rent to me. I have a 2007 silver Saturn Ion I've been tooling around in. Stayed overnight (as planned by the region, thank goodness) in DM and after the regional board meeting I went to my van and unloaded a bunch of stuff out of it into the Saturn to come home with me. The weather hasn't exactly been in my favor this week. Monday I went to a Drs appt in Ames and drove home in freezing rain. Good news... my test results are all NORMAL and no signs of cancer. That was an UP. Then my laptop froze up and I was afraid it was going to break down on me, too... definitely a DOWN. I allowed my battery to completely run down so the computer would shut itself down. After recharging for a short time, I turned on the computer and it came up as if nothing had happened! Whoa. An UP. The service station needed to get my van out of their over-full lot so the Church Regional Center folks said I could park it there for as long as needed...lots of parking spaces. UP. So the service station towed it 5 miles down University Avenue... and charged me $54! DOWN. And still had no car and not exactly in a position to shell out a bunch for something new... so an internet search ensued. Bobby called his best friend from H.S., Shane, who works at a dealer back home and found out that Shane himself was selling his car. So Tuesday I drove in blowing wind to see the car...and we made a deal that I couldn't believe. Thank God for good friends. Shane takes really good care of his cars and I knew he'd tell me everything. Wednesday was spent in the humiliating process of taking care of all the financial stuff ... and by Wednesday afternoon I was driving a new car (OK, not NEW, but new to ME) back to my Mom's house where it is sitting in their garage awaiting new license plates. Today I drove (again in blowing snow and freezing rain) to the county courthouse to get my new title and plates. So why did I name this post "Teenage Again?" I now am once again in the world of car payments... and own a sporty 2003 Dodge Neon SXT...Black with grey interior...with a spoiler on the back, a moonroof, electric windows and locks, and a JVC stereo system that has a small remote control (can you believe that?) and a digital screen that has psychedelic colors that are constantly changing with images of musical instruments, surfers, scuba divers, fish, skateboarders, etc. floating across. Oh...and he loaned the car to his little brother who installed a small blue light that shines from behind the air vents because he said that's the new rage at the college. Ha. I'll post pictures when I have 'em. Definitely an UP. Tomorrow the rental car goes back to DM (pray for good weather) and Bob's meeting me to take me to pick up the Neon. Hoping things stay UP from here.... no more major DOWNS... :-)

A New View

Last Sunday afternoon I went to my hometown to Central Christian Church, the church that I grew up in and still call home. They were having an open house to show the community the newly rennovated sanctuary. This was not a small job. They turned the whole sanctuary around 180 degrees with the altar on the opposite side from where it had been for the last 99 years. I have been excited to see the progress a few times along the way over the last many, many months. But I must admit that I was afraid that I would walk into this church that has been one of the single most important influences in my life, and I would no longer feel 'at home' or that it was my home any more. But when I walked in and sat down, I looked around and said "Yup...it's still home". New and improved...much different... but no more strange to me than being in a home where the livingroom or kitchen or something had been completely gutted remodeled. The space is beautiful, they kept the exterior and used many elements (including the large dark wood cross for which I give praise and thanksgiving) from the old sanctuary. The space is also completely flexible, functional and will allow so many new and different things to happen in ministry there...including the inclusion of a new video/projection/computer/sound system. They stepped out into a scarey path with great faith and conviction and God blessed their efforts and I know will continue to do so. On a side note... as I thought about feeling at home... of course the biggest part about always feeling as though I am "coming home" when I walk into Central... is not the building or the carpet or the new pews... it's the people... the true church and body of Christ, not wood and plaster. I got my hug quota for about 3 days in the just over 60 minutes I was there. Congratulations, Central for the beautiful new worship space, the updated Sunday School rooms, but wonderful fellowship area... but most of all... for continuing the love of God to one another and the world... and thanks so much for still welcoming me home as part of the family!

Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold Days

Man is it COLD! And it's going to get worse. But then...it's January in Iowa. This weekend it's supposed to be dangerously cold with the windchills of -20 to -30. Whew! But we had a beautiful snowfall ... real Currier and Ives picture kind of stuff that came down yesterday and last night. Today when the sun was shining it was a beautiful winter site from the window. I can't say that I am a winter person... I hate cold weather with a passion. But I'm also thankful that I live where it snows and the world gets covered in pure white...with little animal paw prints sometimes breaking the smoothness...and sparkles like a covering of sugar. Maybe it's the silver lining of winter. Even in the depths of winter there is beauty. I've been putting bird seed out for the feathered friends who used to live in the tree by the front door that is now basically gone and I love it when they come and fluff up their feathers. I've tried to be really quiet to get a picture of them, but they are too smart and fly away. If I can get a pic, I'll post it. In the meantime, I hope all my friends and family and warm and 'fluffed up' in their homes, wrapped in afghans and comforters and maybe sitting by a warm fire with a cup of hot chocolate... and if not in Iowa, then remembering fondly winter days gone by...cocoa, sledding, skating, snowmen, snow angels, drying mittens by the heat register, bundling so much you could hardly move... and how good it felt to go to bed and snuggle down in the blankets...and pray that school would be cancelled. :-)

Blessed by Good Friends

Ever have one of those days...or weeks...or months... when it seems like the world is crashing around you and you feel helpless to do anything about it? I know all of us have had them...maybe even lots of them to the point of almost breaking... or maybe even beyond breaking. Without going into details... while this wasn't a...what did that one children's book author say?...horrible, awful, terrible no good day... it wasn't really great either. Any time I can spend a bit of time with my son is a good day and I could do that for a short time today. But sometimes when you get those glimpses of light, when it's over the darkness seems even darker. OK... don't stop reading yet, I'm really not trying to depress you, too. By the end of the afternoon I seemed to be in a psychic fog, one of those moments when you just want to go to bed, pull up the covers and shut out the world. But I couldn't... I had to be at the nursing home to sing with the choir with our monthly music ministry outreach. Just when I thought I'd call someone and tell them to go ahead and sing without me I remembered I had the hymnals for the choir in the back of my van. Darn. So I took a deep breath, said a prayer and headed out.
The wonderful thing about God is, God always knows how to give you what you need...and I needed to be at the nursing home singing with the choir... no... singing with my friends. Singing always cheers me up and touches me in a way nothing else can. Seeing these frail, wise, faithful folks with soft voices singing along with us and the smiles on their faces as they recognize the old hymns...the tears in their eyes for whatever memories they may invoke... it's a grace-filled moment of time. And, even if I do say so myself, we make pretty good music together. Not only that... one choir member said (quoting Scarlet O'Hara), "Just go to bed tonight... tomorrow is another day." And we sang words like "what a friend we have in Jesus...is there trouble anywhere? Take it to the Lord in prayer..." when trials should buffet... even so, it is well with my soul."
But if that wasn't enough to pull me out of my funk... then came bell choir practice back at the church. I am so blessed to have these women in my life. They never fail to make me smile, laugh, and forget everything else from the day as we share the stories of our kids, talk about our day... oh yea... and get bell music played. Really we do. And again... even tho I'm biased... even when we struggle.... we make pretty darn good music together. Music that God smiles at...music that lifts the soul... friends that bless and lift and friends who, just like Jesus, save my soul from the shadows. And they don't even know how much they all mean to me and how much they have truly blessed my life. They are the wings that lift me, the angels that remind me of the song of my soul. And if it's true that when a bell rings an angel gets their wings (thanks, Clarence) then these angels have wings upon wings with some in the closet to spare!