Random thoughts

We have already covered the fact that I DO NOT like thunderstorms. Well it has finally turned into spring here. I don't think I will be getting any more surprise snow. The thing that stinks about that is the weather folks are saying this is going to be a very stormy spring. Now I know that they are wrong half the time - but considering the way the spring has started out here I think they may be right this time.

Another thing that I don't like but I am learning to embrace is change. And let me tell you things are changing fast around here. People are moving, others are looking for houses, others are almost done with their degrees - just too much change at once. And the thing is it's all good change. I am so happy for the people who are experiencing these changes because that means they are one step closer to realizing their dreams. It's all the unknown things that come with change. I don't know what to think and at this point I am about to start rambling. So on that note I believe I will stop for the time being. Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend and that you have beautiful weather to enjoy! (no storms!!!!!) =0)

The Concert

I received this in an email today. I had not seen this one before but it really spoke to me. Perhaps due to the musician in me.

The Concert

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit.""Keep playing."

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic," Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God.

What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.
May God bless you and be with you always! and remember, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

Good day!

Yes today was a good day. We continued to have snow most of the day but more than likely it will be gone by tomorrow night. A spirit of sleepiness came upon me at 12:30 and let me tell ya - that was the longest 5.5 hours of work ever! (well maybe not be it sure seemed that way) Tonight I went to a play at church about GT Haywood. It was really good but the coolest thing was the way that God moved in at the end. It just reiterates to me the importance of a drama ministry. There were people there that may have not come for any other type of service, and there was no denying that we serve the true living God after that service. God is so awesome!

WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

We had snow today!!!!!!!!!! It's the perfect snow person, snow angel, snow ball fight kinda snow. It is so awesome! Today has just been a great day thus far all around! I am talking with Nate and Ingunn online and life is just good. I will check back in later to let you know how the rest of the day transpires. If you get a chance check out this report from Mississippi. This ministry is the perfect example of being God's hands.

http://www.ninetyandnine.com/mblog06/mblogger.html

Thunder Storms

They freak me out!!!!!!!! We had horrible storms last night and the promise of more tonight. I get scared at the first sighting of lighting and the first roll of thunder. If the tornado sirens go off - forget it. I am frozen in place. I do not do well with storms at all. I have never actually been in a tornado and I have never been hurt nor had family hurt in a storm but I just can't handle 'em. And that is not a good thing since I live in the Midwest.

So this is how I cope. Fall asleep before the storms come and if they are not too bad then that usually does the trick. If I am awake I either curl up in a ball and pray or if I have an unlucky friend around I grab and hug their arm. But the essential thing that I must have no matter what is my Eeyor. (pictured above) Poor little guy - anytime I am upset or lonely I rub his ears. My friend who gave him to me was checking him out the other night to see if he had holes yet. Several of my friends are surprised he is still intact. =0) And as one of those friends learned last night - Lord help ya if you try to take him away from me =0)

Army Brat

As some of you may know I am an army brat. I must admit that at times when I hear of protests against various military actions I get frustrated. It could because of the army brat status I have - not sure. I do know that I am very thankful for the men and women that put their lives on the line everyday to ensure my freedom. I want to share a story that was sent to me in an email. Hope you enjoy.

I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow
their carry-on's and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a
long, uneventful flight home.

With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff
luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to
holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing
that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home
to see my loved ones so I was focused on my issues and just felt like
standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act
together.

I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall"
magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really
getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap
to break the monotony. With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself.

Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we
were being delayed. The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes. The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was finally going to be on my way home.

Why the hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up .. Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas I thought. The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home
from Iraq !!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause.

The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them
as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her.
The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time.

When we were finally airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life. I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones.

I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane.

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms. I felt proud of them.
I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say "Thank You for a job well done."I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.

Funny moment

I am listening to the Bible this year. I am currently in Deuteronomy and last night something just caught my ear. Do not boil a kid in his mother's milk - and immediately I was like well duh you should never boil children and that is just gross. Then the blonde wore off and I realized they were talking about a baby goat. Oops =0)

GLOW

GLOW stands for God Loves Our Worship. This is a group of kids ages 5-13 that minister in song using sticks and sign language. All of these kids have either been a part of Kids Prayer Force or Shekinah Kids. The coolest thing is that these kids really just want to do this to minister to people. They don't care about being in the spotlight they just want God to use them.

If you want to see GLOW in action go to www.newlifecenter.com and on the right side under the calendar you will see a link for video on demand. You will then be treated to our awesome service from last Sunday morning (which I will be checking out tonight - I didn't hear the preaching because I was in Sunday school) The kids are right at the 39 minute mark. Enjoy!

Connecting

I am not even going to begin and start apologizing, please just visualize me with my head hanging down in shame. It has been awhile. Between taxes at work and life in general things have been down right psychotic. But the taxes will be finished this afternoon and I will no longer need to feel guilty about blogging when I actually have work to do.

I have to admit that I am a faithful EC (everyone's connected)person. I signed up on EC when one of my friends from Cali told me about it - I figured if nothing else it was a good way to keep in touch with her. Slowly I started getting links but I have got to say in the last week it seems as if everyone I knew growing up or in Bible School has suddenly come out of the woodwork. And I LOVE IT. There are folks that live in the same city as I that I never get to see or talk to - now I can just send them an email whenever I want to. I think my title will have to change from faithful to addict =0)

I have also have been in contact with an old friend from high school (thru classmates.com) and I am totally excited about that. It is crazy how much we have changed in the last ten years - and yet how some things have not changed at all. I love the internet - how in the world did we survive without it?