Warning: High Wind Gusts

So, Dallas-Ft.Worth experienced some unusually high wind gusts all day today, this evening in particular. I was driving from my parents' house in Plano back to Ft. Worth, with a stop at DFW Airport to pick up my roommate, Dana. I parked by the curb outside of baggage claim and waited for Dana's call to let me know she had arrived. When the call came, I hopped out of my car, and moved to the rear of my vehicle to make room for her suitcase. I was bringing back a LOT of Christmas decorations to prepare our home for the holidays -- Winter WONDERland! Anyway. I drive a Toyota Rav4 with a swinging rear door. I opened the rear door and began rearranging boxes and packages, then turned to see if Dana had indeed spotted me and was headed my way. As I turned, a gust of wind caught the door, and swung it right into my head! It was so jarring, I was not certain I would stay on my feet. I grabbed the door to steady myself and waited for Dana to approach. I calmly told her that I'd just been hit in the head by the door at which point, she looked at me and said, "Where you're bleeding?" I said, "I'm bleeding!" She said, "Yes, above your eye." Oh. That would be where it hurt alright. We put her bag in the back and closed the door, then got into the car. By this time, there was blood running down the side of my cheek from a 1/2 inch gash above my right eye. We both remained strangely calm while Dana fished for a wet wipe and a Kleenex. I drove us home with both hands on the wheel, and allowed her to apply the appropriate bandages when we arrived at the house. I have no idea what kind of mark or bruising I'll have to show for all of this tomorrow, but I just wanted to warn all of you to beware of wind gusts! And, yes, for those of you who know my penchant for laughing at other people's misfortunate pains in life, I have had a very good laugh at myself over this one! I've laughed so hard, my face hurts, and my voice is hoarse, and my roommates had to tell me to stop crinkling up my eyes or the bandaids would never stick and I'd be scarred for life!

Thanksgiving

I love an excuse to get together with family and friends and enjoy being together and reflect on the blessings God's placed in our lives over the past year without the pressure of finding the right gifts for one another (at least not for another month!). Thanksgiving is quite possibly the perfect holiday in my opinion -- if only we could work some fireworks into it. So here's a list of some of the things I'm thankful for this year ...
My Job -- I love Meals on Wheels, and I have amazing coworkers. It's a privilege to enjoy going to work each day and to feel like what I do matters at the end of each day.
My Family -- we have been through a lot this year, but I think we've grown to appreciate one another and enjoy the times we have together more than ever before.
My Church Family and Friends -- I feel as though I am daily learning the significance of the being the Body of Christ and the depth of relationship we have been created to share with one another in the family of faith, and I am so thankful for it.
Scripture -- Psalm 37:3 says, "Dwell in the land and do good. Feed on His faithfulness." Psalm 94:19 says, "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations will be my delight." Psalm 65:11 says, "You have crowned the year with bounty and your paths drip with fatness."
God's Unchanging Character -- Psalm 125:2 says, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people." God has revealed Himself to me in so many challenging and encouraging ways as I seek to have faith that pleases Him.
Godly Roommates -- It is such a blessing to come home at the end of a day and have wise and godly women to listen and counsel life's trials as well as celebrate life's joys.
Laughter -- Proverbs says, "A merry heart does good like medicine." I am increasingly thankful for any opportunity to laugh until it hurts because then I know I am in the company of sweet friends.
Faithful Friends -- Proverbs 27:6 says, "The kisses of an enemy are deceitful, but faithful are the wounds of a friend." I am thankful for honest friends who speak truth in love, who know me well and love me anyway.
Travel -- few things in life make me more aware of the abundance around me than a trip around the world to find out what is really important
God's Sovereignty -- Can I tell you that I am thankful to serve a God I do not understand? I am so glad to know that He knows better than I do, and that His thoughts and His ways are infinitely better than mine.
Seaons -- We've had an extra-long summer in Texas, but as the air finally turns cooler, I am so glad to be reminded that life is all about seasons and they do change.
A Hope and a Future -- I have been reminded this year that it is God who calls me, God who keeps me, and God who knows where I go from here, and He is completely trustworthy.
The Voice of Truth -- John 10:4-5 says, "When he (the Shepherd) puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." I learned that verse in elementary Sunday School, and I remember praying that I would know the Voice of the Lord, and it's been such a blessing this year to find out how He has answered that prayer of childhood faith by affirming His direction for me over and over again.
And, of course ... Gilmore Girls! -- you didn't really think I'd leave them out, did you? ;-P
What are you thankful for?

Best Laid Plans ...

Lingerie showers are a Southern tradition for young brides-to-be. I've been involved in a number of them over the years as various friends have prepared for wedded bliss. It's an occassion when lots of silly screaming women, led by the all-knowing married ones, gather to "shower" the bride-to-be with frilly unmentionables to ignite the fires of passion in her new marriage. One of my current roommates is a soon-to-be bride for whom a lingerie shower was thrown this weekend. Female relatives arrived from all over the state of Texas to do their best to see if they could turn her cheeks crimson with embarassment. I was not a hostess for this party. I was not involved in the planning of it in anyway. I was truly to be an innocent bystander this time. But, as things would go, there was much to do at the last minute and certain tasks had to be accomplished. That is how I ended up assigned with the task of icing the cake. No problem, right? I've frosted many cakes in my time, but never one shaped quite like this. How should I say it? It was in the shape of a very specific part of the male anatomy. We'll leave it at that. Not only do the girls in charge of this party leave me to frost this cake, I'm also in charge of being sure Mimi, my roommate's grandmother who has been left out of this party, doesn't see it! I waited for Mimi to go upstairs for something, then quickly spread the icing over the cake, covered it, and put it back in its hiding place on a chair tucked under the kitchen table. My other roommate and I waited until the very last minute to grab the cake and run out the door with a quick "see you later" to Mimi called over our shoulders. The party was much fun. There was lots of laughter, particularly over the story of hiding the cake from Mimi. We came home several hours later to a very calm Mimi, sitting in a chair downstairs mending felt puppets, and we were surprised to see a sparkling clean kitchen awaiting us. "Mimi, you cleaned!" we each exclaimed as we noticed her kind deed. "Yes, I did," she said calmly in her polite British accent, "and I put that 'ugly' pan in the very bottom drawer!" she finished with a hmph! Gales of laughter rang through the house as the realization that all of our efforts to hide the cake had been in vain dawned on each of us. We tried very hard to look serious as the cutest 83 year old British woman I have ever seen chided us, "You girls and the things you talk about!" Hmph, indeed. ;-)

Bill and Gladys

Bill and Gladys could make a fine cartoon strip in my mind. One visit with them provides weeks worth of entertainment. They are a couple in their 80's and have been on Meals on Wheels for as long as anyone can remember. Their home is dark and smells strongly of dust and cigarette smoke. Bill rarely has a shirt on, sports a 2-3 day growth on his face, and is always drinking very thick, black coffee. Gladys generally stays in her chair, shouting her insults at Bill and smoking her never ending chain of cigarettes. On this particular day, we were discussing health problems. Bill reports Gladys has an overactive bladder. Gladys grunts her agreement with the diagnosis and adds that it gives new meaning to an old nick name, "Happy Bottom," then she grins with a michievous smirk waiting for me to get it, and finally supplies the clue, "Glad - Ass." She chortles loudly over this and displays a doll with a personalized bib that reads "Happy Bottom: Gladys." Bill snorts and moves on with his account of his last visit to the doctor. He's not going back for the results of his bone density test because they want to put him in "one of those tubes" to check for cancer. He says he, "ain't got no cancer." He "don't even have a prostate," he bluntly informs me, watching my face carefully for a reaction. "The hell you don't!," Gladys yells, "everybody got a damn prostate." "Nope," continues Bill, "Brodie took it." "What's Brodie gonna do with it? Play?!" Gladys retorts. At this point, I really must stop them. "Who is Brodie?" I ask. Bill winks. "He's my urologist." Evidently, Brodie wanted to do some radiation and Bill told him to just cut it out. At some point in this exchange, I was distracted by some unfolding drama on the TV. "You watch that stuff?" Bill asks in disgust. "No, but I catch bits and pieces in other people's homes," I say. "Oh, well, Happy Bottom over there watches four of 'em every day!" Gladys smiles and says, "Yup," and proceeds to list all of her regular soaps. I tell her I like to read. Gladys says she does, too. In fact, she's got lots of books and will give me one to take. We go into the kitchen, but she's distracted by some pictures. As she flips through them, telling me who each one is, I begin to notice that pictures of her sister, her oldest daughter "the brunette," and her mother are all the same person. We finally move on to her books. She hands me copies of "Prisoner of Passion" and "The Naked Face" -- things I am certain will have me thrown out of seminary if found in my possession. She says, "They all have a little sex in them, but I am old." ?!?!?! We walk back into the den. "You loaded up with some x-rated reading?" Bill asks. "Oh, shut up, Bill. You're too young to read this stuff anyway," Gladys shouts. "Bye, y'all. Have a good day. Stay warm and be nice to each other," I smile as I back out of the front door. When I got home, I wrapped the books in a sack from our local Christian bookstore and put them in the trash. :-\

Why?

Why is this site so funny to me?

Funeral Instructions

I'm accompanying my mom this afternoon to the memorial service for one of her best friends from college. Becky and her husband were killed in a car wreck last weekend, and mom's friends from all over Texas and several other states will meet in Mexia this afternoon to remember and celebrate Becky's life and the influence she had on all of them. I probably only met Becky two or three times in my whole life, but I've heard her name and the stories of her infamy many times over the years. My quiet, reserved mother gets a twinkle in her eye when starts to tell a story about one of Becky's exploits, and while I know that all of the women planning to meet in Mexia this afternoon are grieved by her loss, it's hard to miss the sense of excitement and anticipation among them as they look forward to being together again -- some for the first time in 30 years. Becky was a Christian and she loved these women and they all seem to feel a profound sense of appreciation for her role in their lives, even if it was only for a short time.
Funerals, especially ones for people who seem too young, who die unexpectedly always make me begin thinking about leaving a legacy. How will I be remembered? What will people say about me when I'm gone? Will they know how much I loved them? Will they know that everything good in me was from Jesus?
Beyond that, I need to make sure all of you know my wishes. I've been thinking about this for a while now, and the list of instructions for how to commemorate my passing is growing. First of all, I wish that all of my friends who are so inclined would shoe polish their cars with the words "Dance with Jesus, Kristen" and the dates of my life and death. I'd like you to all wear purple. And, finally, I would like you to be certain that there is a karaoke machine set up at the viewing, so people don't get bored. And be sure my friend, Lauren, sings "I Know Where I'm Going" by the Judds. ;-) Always remember, I love to laugh!
How do you want to be commemorated?

Did You Know?

Did all of you know Lottie Moon was a midget and no one think to tell me?!
She was only 4'3"! Who knew? I didn't! I don't know why it matters. It just seems like something I should have heard at some point along the way!

You Are God Alone

I heard a sermon in class last night about the fact that praising God through trial or pain is not a natural reaction but a choice. I've been thinking about it a lot today. You see, I preached last night, too, and for whatever reason, I always experience a "slump" the day after any ministry opportunity or assignment. Today's been no different. Emotions run high. Feelings run low. Everything feels out of whack. So, what do I do with it all? Wallowing is VERY tempting. But, I keep hearing "praise is a choice!" in my head, and I want to choose it. The following lyrics are from a song I first heard a few months ago. It's quickly becoming a favorite. Today, I choose to praise and give thanks to a God who does not bow to my temper tantrums, who is bigger than my imagination, and who always gives me His best.

You are not a god Created by human hands
You are not a god Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

[chorus]
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is

[chorus]

[bridge]
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning;great is Your faithfulness.24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in Him.”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,to the soul who seeks Him.26 It is good that one should wait quietlyfor the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-26

Gilmore Girls

In case you were wondering, I do yell "Gilmore Girls!" when the music comes on, even when I'm home alone.

An Evening on Fantana Island

The Women on Wonder Drive and Friends had a fabulous evening on Fantana Island. Thanks to all who came and participated, and especially to those who helped us decorate

!

Fanta! Fanta! Don't Ya Wanta?

That took some time!

Fantalicious!

Trey ... hunting season start THIS weekend!

The Williams -- enough said.

More Visitors to Fantana Island

The G.Lovers traveled the farthest to party with us!

Alice in Wonderland!

Dr. and Mrs. P???

Josh, does Dr. Patterson know about this???

We had all kinds of "pi-rats!"

Cody, is that a woman's blouse???

These are our friends from across the street. Zorro helps me mow the yard sometimes, and Sparkle Witch likes to help in the kitchen.

Healthy Respect?

For nearly a year now, I have been praying about and seeking a better understanding of what it means to "fear the Lord." This is a phrase that is repeated often in scripture and there is great promise for the one who fears the Lord. I think that Lex has come up with one of the best explanations of this concept I've heard yet. Check out what he has to say!

Everybody's doing it ...

Whaddayaknow?!


You are Napoleon Dyanamite and a buttload of gangs
are trying to recruit you.

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
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Lyrics

Is it ever the case with you, that when you're not necessarily spending time with the Lord, in His Word with the focus and discipline that you once did, that He begins to speak to you through songs? This seems to be the case with me. There are times, I honestly feel like he walks in my room and starts singing through the radio. :-) Yesterday, was a day when lyrics to songs began to really speak to me. The following lyrics are from a song by Sara Groves. I've only heard the song once, but it really seems to say what's been on my heart for the last couple of weeks.

Hello Lord - Sara Groves

Hello Lord, it's me your child /I have a few things on my mind /Right now I'm faced with big decisions / And I'm wondering if you have a minute, cuz /Right now I don't hear so well /And I was wondering if you could speak up I know that you tore the veil /So I could sit with you in person /And hear what you're saying but /Right now, I just can't hear you. I don't doubt your sovereignty /I doubt my own ability to /Hear what you're saying /And to do the right thing /And I desperately want to do the right thing /But right now I don't hear so well And I was wondering if you could speak up /I know that you tore the veil /So I could sit with you in person /And hear what you're saying but /Right now, I just can't hear you. /And somewhere in the back of my mind /I think you are telling me to wait And though patience has never been mine /Lord, I will wait to hear from you /Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you Right now I don't hear so well /And I was wondering if you could speak up /I know that you tore the veil /So I could sit with you in person /And hear what you're saying but Right now, I think you're whispering