A Story for Christmas

Nothing to do on an afternoon, so Micah and I came up with an idea.  We would write a story for about 10 minutes and then read them to each other.  Here is what I came up with.

One more present under the tree.  The green wrapping paper sparkled from the flashing white lights on the tree.  This small gift was almost lost beneath the wrinkled piles of paper strewn around the living room, but as Micah felt around for any last presents his hand felt the hardness of the box.  He pulled it out and said, “Who is this for?”  It had no name written on it.  None of the family claimed it as being from them.  So it was a mystery.  Dad said, “Micah, why don’t you open it.”  So Micah tore into the wrapping like he had on every other gift that evening.  He revealed a wooden box that looked like a hand made jewelry box or a music box.  Everyone looked on, not knowing who it could possibly be from.  Maybe it was a mistake.  Maybe whatever was inside the box would explain who the gift was for.  So Micah opened the box and inside was a note.  Just a note.  This would reveal who the mystery gift was for or from most likely.  Micah opened the note and read out loud.  “Merry Christmas!  Your real gift is outside.  Go out your back door and you will understand.”  The family looked at each other with complete astonishment.  Who was this gift from?

The family walked to the kitchen where the back door was and opened it.  There, outside in the cold, was a small group of people waiting for them.  They realized that these were people from church.  What was going on?  The pastor said, “We know how hard this year has been for you with Steve not having a job and Leslie’s medical bills stacking up, so this Christmas we want to give you a special gift.  A few weeks ago we bought a bunch of lottery tickets together and promised that if we won we would give it all to you.  We won!”  The family looked on in complete bewilderment as the pastor continued, “This is a check for $700,000,000 and it is all for you.  Merry Christmas!”  And with that, Leslie woke up to the sight of Steve leaning over her in bed saying “Merry Christmas.”  It had all been a dream.  A wonderful, but sadly not real, dream.

Nothing to Do

What do you do on days that you have nothing to do?  Here is what I did.

I woke up in the same clothes that I wore yesterday, so that made it easy to hop out of bed and begin the day.  Then I made my morning chai with a bit of coconut milk in it for the extra special taste of Christmas.  I put a hat on my head so as to not have to comb my hair.  Then I got on the computer and looked at Facebook and played Bejeweled.  Fun times.  I thought about my goals for a moment or two before grabbing a cookie.  Then I filled out a volunteer application for an organization that I am interested in working at.  I was encouraged by two people to go out and take a walk, so I did that.  One time around the block I went.  I stopped by the skate park to say hi to people and then came home.  Once at home, I had some Coke.  I ate another cookie and that brings me to this very moment.  I wrote a blog about nothing.

Introverts in Bible Study

I know everyone and their dog are talking about introverts these days.  I guess since it is the "in" thing to do that I will join in.  Since I am an introvert it makes me a bit of an expert on it.  I call it The Study of Self.

We all know that introverts think before they speak usually.  I was thinking about this as I thought about the Bible study I go to.  Some good advice for all Bible studies or small groups is that those who are introverts need time to speak.  Just because the person doesn't pop up with an answer doesn't mean they don't have something to say.  Just give a few seconds of quiet and they might just open their mouth.  I know that is true with me.  I often have something to contribute but can't seem to find the open space to jump in.  So the opportunity goes by and I sit quietly.

What would it look like to have a whole Bible study group of just introverts?  There wouldn't be a lot of the chit chat that goes on.  There would probably be a lot of quiet space.  And maybe we would hear the deep thoughts that come from introverts.  What would an extrovert feel like if they came to that Bible study?  Probably like it was really boring and people were too shy to speak.  They would probably feel awkward.  Yes, that is how I feel when I am at my Bible study that has a lot of extroverts in it.  I love them all, but I feel awkward.  I'm glad I am there.  It is just not set up for introverts.  I will keep going and trying to push myself to be more vocal, because I guess we can all learn from each other.

Make a Joyful Noise

The other day I went to a church service at a small church where there wasn't a great sound system.  Actually, this could be my church every week.  But it was another church.  And the singers sounded off key a bit.  I cringed a few times.  I started thinking about how awful it sounded.  But then something happened.  I had an epiphany I guess.  I thought about how God hears our singing.  He never cringes.  Every praise that goes up to Him is like the sweetest sound.  How dare I make fun of people offering their sincerest praises to God.  Who should care how the sound system is lame or the singers aren't perfect?  The music isn't for me.  It is a offering to God.  And He hears our hearts.  Now I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Burger King in Delhi

I hope to never eat there!

Somehow I have the menu for Burger King.  There is one that just opened in a mall near us.  First time in Delhi.  There is no beef, but they do have a mutton whopper.  No thanks!

So as you can see, the menu says "Taste is King".  I'm not sure about that.  But I doubt that they are allowed to have this on their menus in Thailand.  Thailand honors their king very highly.  Last week I read about some people getting arrested for talking bad about the king.  People must show respect to the King.

This also made me think about my King, Jesus.  Do I show him as much respect as he deserves?  Do I honor his name?  Am I offended when those around me don't show him respect?  I wish we lived in a country that showed Jesus as much respect as they show the king in Thailand, because it would cause me to think about it more.  Maybe if I keep this menu around it will remind me.  I certainly don't think Burger King's taste is king.

Random Gifting

When I was in college I had a friend that I wanted to send a joke gift to through the school mail.  So I had a dead plant that I thought would be funny for him to receive.  It was mostly dead.  So I gave it to the post office lady and she put a note in his box to say he had a package to pick up.  But then, unbeknownst to me, she started watering the plant.  And he didn't pick it up for a couple of days.  So when he did, it wasn't dead anymore.  So instead of my dead plant joke gift, he got a more lively plant.

Micah is doing a similar thing at school.  He is giving a random gift in the mail with a note that says, "Good job!" or "You can do it!"  So the person will get it and have no idea what it is that they can do or have done well.  But what if it goes wrong?  What if the person gets the little gift and they like it and it encourages them?  Then they don't get the joke and the joke is wasted.

A Week Off

What does one do on a week long sabbatical?  You may have asked yourself this question (or not).  I hadn't planned to take a sabbatical this week so I didn't have anything in mind.  I had to plan as I went along.  Day one was spent listening to music to try to figure my current life out.  That worked pretty good.  I thought it would take longer, but I guess one day was enough.  Then the next day I went to a market and did some shopping for material.  I found some great deals and planned to sew the rest of the week.  I took another day to visit with a friend.  And one day was a holiday so we all just hung out at home and did nothing.

I have been doing my workouts, but not so early.  My morning starts much slower.  I get up to get Micah off to school, then I spend time reading and being online.  Then I usually need a nap.  After my nap I do my workout.  Then around 1PM I start my day.

If I end up taking a longer sabbatical I guess I will work on the sewing projects, write a book, and maybe paint the walls.  What else does one do?

Don't Mess With Les!

You know those days when you just wish someone would pick a fight with you so you could attack them and get all your frustrations out?  I was having one of those days yesterday.  I was just wishing I could try out all my attack moves that I have been teaching the girls about in our self protection class.  So when a guy standing next to me at the store raised his elbow to touch my arm, I pounced.  He had already touched me twice before.  First time I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said it could have been an accident.  I moved over a bit and brought my arm in closer.  Second time I felt uncomfortable and annoyed.  And then I watched his arm start to raise up to bring his arm close to me again.  I turned to him as I waited for my change from the two cokes I had just bought and said, "Baiya! (brother)"  He didn't respond.  So I not so gently swatted him with my cokes to get his attention.  Then I said, "Yeh achcha nahi (this is not good)"  He looked like he had no clue what I was saying or why.  So I explained to him that he had touched me over and over and that was not good.  And I turned and walked away.  I had self control (fruit of the spirit).  I wanted to jab my elbow into him after the third time, but I didn't.  I used my words first.  But my mind played out the whole scene of me jabbing him and then my other arm swinging a fist in his face.  It was marvelous.  I showed him not to mess with Les!

Pinterest Lessons

Which one did I make?

Jewelry Making Maniac

I have this issue (OCD) that makes it so I can't just make one craft item, but I have to make them until I run out of supplies.  I did this with my knit caps.  I think I made over 50 of those hats.  And now I am making earrings.  I can't stop.  Here are some of the ones I've made.

The Ice Bucket Challenge

Going around the internet right now is the Ice Bucket Challenge.  It was started to raise awareness and funds for the ALS Association.  Actually, I just looked on line and it seems other organizations started it, but I just heard about it with the ALS Association.  Anyway, the idea is if you get nominated then you have 24 hours to dump a bucket of ice cold water on your head or give $100. to ALS.

I was thinking that whoever thought up this idea is really smart.  People are really getting into it.  I wish I would have thought of it to raise money for the home I work at.  But then I thought a bit more about it and wondered how much money has really come in from it.  It seems people enjoy dumping water on their heads.  It would have been better to challenge people to something they wouldn't enjoy so much.  I mean, if the idea is to bring in money, then wouldn't it be better if people didn't do the challenge?  Or maybe if it was winter and not summer.

If I was going to start a challenge like this, I think I would make it that you have to shave off your eyebrows or else donate to charity.  People are less likely to shave their eyebrows and more likely to donate.  I might start with just $20. for the donation amount.  Not so expensive that it is impossible for some to do.

Okay, following further research, it seems to have been a great fundraising scheme.  The ALS has said they have raised over $15 million, so I guess it works.

Big Cinnamon Rolls

We stopped at Heaven On Earth so I could try one of their famous huge cinnamon rolls.  We just got one to share, the three of us.  I was extremely disappointed.  After wondering for years if it was really the best in the world, I finally decided to stop and try it.  It was DRY!  Well at least I now know and I never need to stop and buy another one.  Makes me want to try making my own.

A Day at the Beach - Weightman Style

Grandpa said we would leave at 6 AM, but I think he was joking.  We woke up at 8 and I went for a walk.  I came back and made some toast, with the greatest bread of all times, Dave's Killer Bread.  I read my Bible.  The family started getting ready.  We had to clean out the RV since it hadn't been used in several months.  I held the baby for a while while his mommy helped clean.  Then we all had a fruit shake, except grandpa forgot to make some for Katie, so he had to make more when she walked in and said, "Where's mine?"

We packed our stuff up for the beach.  Grandma tripped and fell in the garage.  She got a hurt knee.  Grandpa said, "Why are you carrying the bird seed anyway?"  We kept loading up more and more stuff.  Baby needs all his stuff, stroller, car seat... might as well take everything.  I got in the RV and started to read one of the magazines I brought.  More and more trips were made out to the RV with arms full of stuff we need for the day at the beach.  Finally we were all getting in.  Grandma came out with the dog.  I thought, "Are you kidding me?"

Of we go.  Baby needs a change right away.  Katie stumbles around while standing and changing him.  We drove for 10 minutes and then had to stop for gas.  off we go again.  45 minutes later we pick up Allison and her two kids.  Lots of telling the kids to sit down.  It is fun to stand in a moving vehicle.  Pile all their stuff into the RV.  We make our way to Redondo Beach where we will be meeting Janie.  Why Redondo Beach?  I don't know.  We drive for a while, eating the food Allison packed.  I ate my sandwich.

We finally arrive at the beach.  We drive through a parking lot but don't see Janie.  She said that there is another parking lot, so we turn around and head to the next one.  There she is, but there is no parking spots.  So she and three boys get in and we head back to the first parking lot where she parked her car.  She and the boys get out.  Instead of staying at the beach, we realize that we need to eat lunch and we drive to the restaurant that Grandpa owns not far away.  Grandpa gets turned around and we are going farther from the restaurant.  He realizes his mistake and we turn around about 5 minutes down the road.  He sees the bank and remembers he needs to do something in the bank.  He goes into the bank and we wait.  Off again we go.  We find the restaurant, park in the handicap/no parking spot and go in as a big group.  The dog has to stay in the RV and look out the window at us.  Janie has been there for 10 minutes already.  It is now 2:00.

Eat.  Now it is 4:00.  Not sure how that happened.  Leave the restaurant and decide that we don't want to go to this beach because it is cloudy.  Grandpa knows of a better spot about a half hour or so away.  Off we go with Janie following.  Now it is 5:00.  We arrive in Long Beach and get to the parking lot and we are about to pile out, but nope, Grandpa turns around and heads away from the beach.  Again it is too cloudy.  Kids are asking when we will get there.  They want to go to the beach.  Maybe we should go to Seal beach and check it out.  Hey, there's a Sports Authority that reminds Grandpa that he wants to buy a skim board.  But he is threatened by the passengers that if he stops he is going to get in trouble.  Janie had to stop and get gas.  I see the ocean again and still am hopeful that we will get to touch the sand.  We drive around the parking lot looking for the perfect spot, trying out a few and backing up.  Grandpa is complaining about how cold it is and that no one is going to want to stay here.  It sounds like he is wanting to drive somewhere else.  We park, but nope, not a good spot.  Park on the other side of the lot.  We hurry and get out.  5:09.  Cold beach.  Cold water.   But Steve and Allison jump in the water.  Kids play in the sand.  The dog is out, but the life guard tells us that dogs aren't allowed, so the dog is put back in the RV.  Time to go!  It is 6:15.  Kids take showers and get clean clothes on.  We leave at 6:40.  Time to head home.  Stop and drop Allison and kids off and then drive home.  Arrive home at 8:40.   What a great day at the beach.

Christmas Time Memories

Christmas is always a great time of year.  As a child I remember road trips to go to my grandparents home.  The road trip itself was an adventure.  We would wake up at O'dark-thirty and get into our van in our pajamas.  There was a bed in the back that we would snuggle up in.  I remember one winter when we didn't have heat in the van, so my dad wore a snowsuit while driving and we were in sleeping bags in the back.  Sometimes it was snowing and treacherous conditions.  One time it was so snowy we ended up staying in a hotel along the way instead of making it in one day like we usually did.

My sister and I liked to sing in the car.  We could sing for hours on end.  Now a days kids don't enjoy the trip.  They watch movies or play games on their devices instead of looking out the window.  We would play car bingo, where you have to find car makes and models.  Or we would play the alphabet game.  Mostly we would sing through our list of songs.  Always, when we got to the Columbia river we would sing Roll On Columbia Roll On, and Barges.  I still sing those two songs when we drive by the Columbia.  And I usually sing Mt. St. Helens, Rise Into The Sky when I see Mt. St. Helens.

Christmas was a time of being with family.  We would all gather around the Christmas tree and hear the Christmas story, then open our presents.  And Santa would bring us stockings on Christmas Eve.  We had to stay in our rooms until we heard my parents close their bedroom door, then we could go check our stockings.  Always an orange or tangerine in the toe of the stocking.

This year Micah will get to be with his grandparents on Christmas.  This is the third Christmas he will have had with relatives.  Time to start making the memories!

Christian Bashing

I was reading an article online today about an organization in Portland that is helping young women who have been sex trafficked.  It is a day house that trains them in jewelry making and other activities.  They also set up foster families for the girls.  And they happen to be Christian.  So, like I often do, I read the comments of readers.  Most of them, maybe 95% were saying how horrible it is that the vulnerable are being forced to become Christians in order to avail the services (which is not true).  Or the comments are saying how horrible Christians are and how coercive it is.  My blood is boiling right now!!!!  The atmosphere in America towards Christians is so hostile.  Only one comment said that this is good work happening to help these girls.  

Creativity

I have a very creative mind.  I make beautiful earrings and bracelets.  I sew fancy shirts and pants.  I make fun pillow covers.  I do basket weaving.  I paint lovely scenery pictures.

My mind is full of business ideas.  I have started a bookstore, a coffee shop, a gym (that is true), a gift store.

In my mind I have written sermons, wrote stories, and oh so many amazing blog postings.

I must have a brain injury or something, because when I try to get the things in my mind to come out they get all jumbled up and turn into something totally different and usually quite inferior to what was inside my mind.

Forget Your Child? Never!

Isaiah 49:15  "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you!"

We have girls that come to the home I work at who have been abused by a family member.  Some of the mothers of these girls accuse the girl of lying.  They basically disown the daughter in favor of the abuser staying out of jail, usually to provide financially for the family.  

Many times I am so taken aback that a mother can be so cruel to their daughter.  How can you throw your daughter out?  Is it all about survival?  Fear?  Shame?  Or do they really not have love for the girl?

The Isaiah 49:15 verse reminds us that God will never forget us.  He is not like a mother who has no compassion on her own child.  God's love is perfect.  No matter what we do he will continue to love us.  It is good to know that there is always someone who loves these girls even when it seems everyone else has stopped loving them.

Good Friday

I just finished reading the story of Jesus' crucifixion.  I thought it was a good way to start out my Good Friday.  I want to think about Jesus' death today.  The verse that really stuck out to me today was Luke 23:48
"And all the multitudes who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return beating their breasts."
This verse made me think about those I know who either mock Jesus or find our belief in Jesus foolish.  I was thinking that if Jesus' death were to happen now, and all of humanity could be watching by TV, who would be cheering his death?  Some would be happy that he was dying so that it would put an end to the "foolishness" of his followers.  But when Jesus died, there were signs that happened, the sky going dark, the veil being torn in two, and an earthquake.  I wonder what it was that convinced the people watching Jesus die that they were wrong.  Was it the way he died or the accompanying signs?

In a way, the people who went away beating their breasts had it lucky.  They could still repent and turn to God.  I don't know what will happen when the end comes.  I wonder if there will be time for repentance.  For people to make a last second confession and give their lives to Jesus.  I hope there is.  But for now, I will pray for those people I know who are against Jesus and Christians.  I pray that it won't take until the last minute for them to realize that they are wrong. 

A Little Bit of Anger

I don't often get angry.  And when I do, it isn't like a huge explosion or anything.

Yesterday I had a small anger outburst.  I am not proud of this.  I feel ashamed and a bit foolish.  I'm sure the situation would have been better dealt with in a calm and humble attitude better.

In the afternoon, after I worked out, I took a shower.  As soon as I got in, the doorbell rang.  Micah answered it, without opening the screen door.  There were three men who spoke to him in Hindi, which he doesn't understand.  So he came to my bathroom door and told me that three guys were at the door and something about electricity.  I told him to tell them to come back in 15 minutes.  He went to tell them and then he came back and said that they told him "no".  Soon the power went off.

I hurried my shower and got dressed and went to the door in a bad mood.  You see, I had time to brew while I showered.  They came back to the door and said we hadn't paid our bill for the past two months so they were turning our power off.  They wanted me to show them the bills.  I don't deal with the bills, so I called Steve.  I told the guys to wait 5 minutes and I closed the door on them.

Steve ran home from the skate park and they again told him how he hadn't paid the bill.  He showed them that he had paid through a local store that pays bills for you.  That receipt wasn't good enough so they wanted us to pay a fine.  And they were saying that they waited an hour and were not happy about that.  Well, that did it.  When I heard that I got mad.  How dare they lie!  I started to boil over.  I went out and said a bit in Hindi how they are liars and they only waited 15 minutes.  They laughed at my Hindi.  I felt like calling the police right there and then, but it would take an hour for the police to come so what was the use.  Besides I was suppose to be leaving at that moment.

Steve was not happy either.  I mean, it would be stupid to come on a Saturday evening to turn someone's electricity off when we would have to wait until Monday to deal with it.  Plus they were saying how I didn't open the door.  So Steve had to explain that as a woman, it is dangerous to open the door to men and that he came as fast as he could.

I left for church feeling irritated in them and myself.  I know it wasn't the way for me to act.  I felt justified in the way I acted, but it wasn't right.  So I spent the rest of the night replaying the event and finally when I got home and went to bed I prayed for forgiveness.  I'm forgiven but still a bit irritated in myself.  And I am still irritated in them.

Time Anxiety

Yesterday I was waiting for a lady to show up for a meeting at my house.  She was suppose to be there at 11.  Around 5 minutes before 11:00 I started to get anxious.  Well, really I got a bit anxious before that even, but I noticed it at about the 5 minute mark.  I started wondering when she would come.  Would she be on time?  Then it was 11:00 and she still hadn't come.  I had to self-talk myself with thoughts of "she is Indian so she will be late."  "Maybe she is stuck in traffic somewhere."  Then it became 11:15 and she still hadn't come.  My anxiety became more intense.  I fidgeted and thought, "How long do I have to wait?"  I looked up "anxiety waiting" on Google and read some insights, but nothing really helpful.  I waited and waited.  Finally at 12:00 I asked Steve (who was napping) how long he thought I should wait.  He said I should just leave and he could call me if she showed up.  I didn't have her phone number so I couldn't call her to see where she was.  So I left.

I was reminded, as I waited, of my anxiety of waiting when I was a child.  I cried when my parents weren't waiting for me right after school got out.  I also remembered the time as an adult when I went to a counseling appointment ironically about my anxiety.  My appointment was the first one in the day, but they wanted me early to fill out paperwork.  Well the silly place wasn't even open when I got there.  So I sat in my car feeling more and more anxious.  I didn't have a watch to judge how much time had passed, but I ended up leaving before I saw any movement in the office.

Now I am waiting for my dentist appointment.  I realize that I also feel anxious when I am waiting to leave.  I worry about being late to places.  I worry that my appointment will be canceled if I am late.  And it is really hard to judge how long it will take me when I am relying on public transportation and walking.  So as I wait, even an hour before my appointment, I try to be productive.  I look up more articles on anxiety.  Eat.  Play a game.  Watch the clock.

So if you wonder why I am always early, now you know.  

Did You Break Something?

I was thinking today about brokenness and pain.  My father in-law's daughter has broken her dad's heart.  She doesn't want him to be her dad anymore.  This has been going on for several years.  And even though the initial break in the relationship happened years ago, he is still in pain.  And I am sure she is too.

Thinking about the pain of a break made me think of a broken bone.  The initial pain is excruciating for most.  I remember when our neighbor fell and broke her arm and she was screaming in pain as she was carried back to her home.  She had surgery to put a metal plate in her arm, but still she was in pain for many days while it was healing.  For many people who break a bone they have to also go through physical therapy after the bone is healed.  As they get use to working the area that had been immobile for a while, it is painful.  The healing process is a painful process.

The emotional healing process is also a painful process.  As I watch the girls I work with start the healing  process it is a lot like a physical break being healed.  They come in complete brokenness, not wanting anyone to touch the broken area because it just hurts so much.  But as the brokenness is addressed they hopefully see that it is a necessary experience to go through if they want that area to be healed and then strengthened.  It takes a willingness to allow someone to push you to the painful points, like in physical therapy.  And not just once, it happens over and over again so that you can move past the painful spot and gain freedom.

What a beautiful picture of healing. 

First week of Beta Focus T-25

So I am on the sixth week of the Focus T-25 program.  This is the first week of the second part, called Beta.  I have to say that the Beta doesn't seem that difficult.  I do find that I am tired out at about 15 minutes and the last 10 are harder to push through.  But the exercises aren't difficult to do.

My complaint about the program is that I have not lost any weight!  Maybe one pound, but that changes each time I step on the scale.  And I haven't really lost many inches.  My stomach is tighter and I feel really good, but I would sure like to see some difference on the scale.  Not sure what else I should be doing to help budge the weight off.  I don't have much to lose, so it isn't a big deal, but it would help me feel better.

So anyway, I will keep going and enjoying the workout.  Who is with me?

Change Something

I like to look at India through the eyes of first time visitors.  They see the things that I start to miss having lived here for several years.  We just had a group of skaters here and they were noticing and enjoying many of the "normal" India things.  Like cows wandering the streets, or the kids running around loudly, or the way cars drive so close to the pedestrian.  There is also plenty that they see and experience that aren't enjoyable.  They also notice the garbage, the air pollution, and the smells.  And experiences that are heart-breaking like when they go on the prayer walk down GB Road, the red-light district in Delhi, they see the abuse and the enslavement of human beings.  

There are things about India that I would like to see change.  I would like it to be cleaner.  In my mind it seems that it shouldn't be that easy to clean up the place.  There needs to be awareness of the problem and then the structure in place to handle the trash.  We need more garbage dumps, more recycling, and a way for poor people to dispose of their garbage easily and for free.  The air pollution is much more difficult to solve.  I've seen traffic work better in other cities in India outside of Delhi.  In Jaipur I noticed that almost all motorcyclists and the passenger wear helmets.  Even the women!  And the cars actually stop at red-lights.  When cars went over the zebra crossing, the police officer was there to take a picture of the license and then give the driver a ticket.  It's a start to our crazy driving here.

Human trafficking is another issue that can be worked on.  More awareness of the problem and the ways that girls/women get enslaved will help some.  Teaching men to respect women and seeing them as equally valuable will help.  Punishing offenders harshly and swiftly will help some.  Empowering those in authority to take action will make a big difference.  Punishing corruption or taking of bribes could help too.  Change can happen.  We just need a few people to notice the problem and take action.  Be one of those people!

Nailed It! Alpha Focus T-25

I just finished my five weeks of Focus T-25 Alpha round.  I feel great even though I doubt anyone can tell a difference.  My stomach is tighter.  My legs are harder.  And my arms are less flabby.  I have more energy too.  I may have lost a couple of inches somewhere or another but the scale has stayed about the same.  Which must mean I was awesome to begin with!!!!!

I'm a bit nervous to move on to the Beta round.  I didn't really nail the Alpha portion, I was more like the barely making it people.  But I did it and I kept moving so I should at least get a pat on the back (which is feeling stronger by the way).

I wish I could convince someone to join me in the workout.  I pretend I have someone with me working out, but it isn't quite the same.  Maybe if I move a full-length mirror in the room with me it will be more like a buddy.  For now it is just me and the crew on the video.

No One Sees Me

Isaiah 47:10   "And you felt secure in your wickedness and said, 'No one sees me.'  Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you; for you have said in your heart 'I am, and there is no one besides me.'"

As I read this verse I immediately thought about those who look at pornography.  The argument is that, "It isn't hurting anyone."  People say it is a private issue.  But that is a lie.  God sees you.  And your heart is being hurt.  The argument that it is a private matter is true in part because you are very much hurting yourself.  You are deceiving yourself to think that it is okay to consume the pictures.  You deceive yourself to believe that it isn't hurting you.  The truth is that it is killing a part of your heart.  The more you consume, the more you desire.  And most of the time people desire something more, meaning something a little worse.  Soft porn turns into hard porn.  The soft porn no longer satisfies so you get deeper and deeper into the depravity.  And the images can't be deleted from your mind.  And then there is the woman/girl that you are looking at.  What about her?  Pornography justifies the buying and selling of a person.  It is a business that runs on supply and demand.  The more demand there is the more that needs to be supplied.  One study said that every second in the US $3000. is spent on porn.  Sounds worse then a heroine habit.  

A Mother Smiles

Today at work a friend shared a testimony of her mom.  Her mother has had sores on her legs for over 15 years that aren't healing.  She has gone to lots of doctors and tried lots of treatment.  My friend, her daughter, shared that through it all her mother has remained strong in her faith.  Even through the pain her mom would remember that Jesus paid so much more and went through so much more then she is going through and that she will for sure be healed in heaven.  My friend shared how those words have stayed with her.  Her family was brought together through the illness while they pleaded for healing for their mom.

Recently my friends father was praying for her mother and after the prayer time he turned on the TV and there was a commercial about an acupuncturist.  He felt God said to him to go see this doctor.  So he has been taking his wife three times a week.  She has deep sores on her legs that are now healing!  There is new pink flesh forming over the sores.

My friend shared how happy she is to see her mom's flesh on her legs healing.  And for the first time in over 15 years her mom had a real smile, not forced, on her face.

Our God is Mighty

A lady at work shared her experience from church on Sunday.  There were a lot of visitors there at church and one of the new ladies was yelling about Shiva making her crazy.  She was causing a lot of distraction and so an elder and my friend took the lady out.  They talked with her and her daughter.  She had been having problems for the past two years.  She was unable to speak at times.  Her family tried everything, even a mental hospital to try to help her.  Finally they brought her to church.  After the service, the pastor came to meet with her.  He met with her for several hours and prayed with her.  She was released from the spiritual hold on her life and found freedom.

There were six other visitors who were aware of what was happening.  All of the Hindu.  The pastor visited with them later in the day and found that one family had taken down their worship area in the house and gotten rid of their idols.  All six of the visitors became followers of Jesus that day.

Shiva is a hindu god.  We know him to be a demon.  Praise the one true God that this lady is now free.

Week 3

I am almost done with week 3 of Focus T-25 workout.  It has taken me longer because of sickness for two weeks.  But week three has one more workout and I am ready for it to be over and a day off.

It is a great workout.  My only complaint is that one of my wrists is sore from the push-ups.  I must have done it wrong.  I have to modify on the plank work, but I'm getting stronger each day (at least that is what Shaun T. tells me).

I'm not following any diet plan and one day I even had a piece of cake soon after my workout.  That bums me out.  I wish I wouldn't gain back the calories I just burned so quickly.

After my workout I drink a Tangy Tangerine vitamin drink for my post workout refueling.  I add some protein powder to it too.  So it is probably healthy.  I'm no doctor or nutritionist but it makes me feel good.

That is it for my week three review.  

Bashing

I hate how people bash Muslims on Facebook (or anywhere).  It isn't all Muslims who are terrorists or who burn Christians.  And there are plenty of Christians who are stupid and do horrible things.  

Driving Me Crazy

As I have said before, driving in this city makes me anxious.  My sweet husband's driving seems to give me the most anxiety.  Probably because I don't want him to hit anyone or for there to be confrontation.

The other day I was complaining about needing to go shopping for new clothes.  It is time to get out my semi-summer clothes and put away the winter clothes, and I am finding it hard to find clothes to wear.  So I was saying that I would go to the market when one of the drivers I know are going.  Then I said that actually Steve's not hit anything lately so maybe I would go with him.  I turned to him and asked, "When is the last time you hit something?"  He kind of chuckled and told me that just the day before he hit something and broke the side mirror.

Stray Dogs

We have probably 50 stray dogs in our neighborhood.  Every couple of months more babies are born.  A few of the dogs get named by me.  One dog with a name is Tri.  He has been around a long time.  He only has three legs.  But it doesn't slow him down.  I am always amazed at the dogs that have injuries or deformities yet they survive. 

A lot of dogs will limp around with a sore or broken leg.  Maybe they got in a fight or got ran over by a car, I never know.  I wouldn't doubt the car story because half the time they sleep in the middle of the street.  And it isn't like the street is the only warm place to lay either.  They choose to sleep in the street. 

At night the dogs like to bark.  You can hear dogs barking all over the neighborhood or running in a group down the street chasing someone or something that doesn't belong.  Sometimes they gang up on a dog that for whatever reason doesn't fit in any longer.  So they are mean to that guy.

Right now there is a teenaged dog who had babies.  I feel like she is still a puppy herself, yet here she is with three of her own.  How will she be able to feed them when she can hardly find enough food to feed herself.

Sometimes the dogs will surprise me.  Like one of the teenaged ones, when he was small, was very sickly skinny.  I thought for sure he would die.  But he is still running around with the other teens.  He is still sickly skinny, but he survives.

As I watch the stray dogs I can't help but think about all the people who live on the streets of Delhi.  Their lives are not too different from the dogs.

Ab Interval Focus T-25

I just did the Ab Interval of the Focus T-25.  This is my 4th day of Focus and it is going well.  I really like doing 25 minutes of exercise and being told it is enough because I am working smarter.  It was a hard workout and now my stomach is having spasms.  It feels funny and makes me laugh.  It is like when your legs shake after a good workout.  So I guess that means I worked my ab muscles well.

After my workout I drink a Tangy Tangerine vitamin drink.  Today I added a granola bar to my after workout refueling.  Yesterday I added a TimTam cookie to my refueling.  I'm sure a banana would be a better choice.

I like working out because it also makes me want to eat healthier.  I mean, I could have had two TimTams yesterday, but because I wanted to be healthy I just ate one.

First Day of Focus T-25

Yesterday a friend said on Facebook that she was doing the Focus T-25 workout.  I looked it up and decided I wanted to try it.  I tried to find it online to download but failed.  So Steve bought it for me for my birthday.  He can't keep secrets so he told me already.  I found it online a Chinese website and did the first day.  It is just 25 minutes of pretty simple exercises.  It has a lady who is doing a modified version, so I did her workout whenever I got too winded and felt like I may have a heart attack.  I did it!  Now for day 2.

Stumble

Today during our little family devotion time we were looking at Romans 14.  It talks about not judging and not putting a stumbling block in front of someone.  It always makes me think about drinking alcohol.  I am not a drinker.  I don't like the taste of any alcohol.  And I grew up in a home that didn't drink.  My parents might have a drink at a Mexican restaurant or maybe some wine at a friend's house, but I don't think they ever bought any alcohol to have at home.  I don't think it is a sin to drink, although getting drunk is wrong.

I have noticed that Christians are much more in to drinking now then they were 20 years ago.  It is not uncommon to have some wine at a Bible study, or to have your small group go out for beers or even meet in a pub for their study.  I always think about the person who struggles with alcohol and how they fit in to this group.  Are we putting a stumbling block in front of this person by glorifying our drinks?  I hear jokes about how the wine or beer will help calm the person down who has had a rough day/week.  Is that really what we want to encourage each other with?  I mean, shouldn't we be encouraging each other in the faith instead?  Again, there is nothing wrong with a glass of wine or a pint of beer in and of itself, but what is the message we are trying to encourage each other with?

Like I said, Romans 14 talks about judging also.  I don't want to be seen as judgmental here, but maybe suggesting we think through our actions a bit and the message we are communicating.  As we each run the race let's encourage each other to run for the price and to not get bogged down or stumble along the way.

Boo Ya!

I had surgery!  I love surgery.  I know I am weird.  But I love that feeling of drifting off to a crazy sleep and waking up having no idea what has happened.  No pain.  I like that best of all.

From my last post you would know that I hate going to the gyno doctor.  Well I got to get it all taken care of under local anesthesia.  That is a much more enjoyable experience.  Much more expensive, but it was worth it to me.

The most fun part of the surgery was being in the hospital room.  Because I am cheap, I asked for the cheapest room, which is the ward room with 6 beds.  And Micah was also having surgery so he was in my ward.  Our beds were across from each other.  We could each lift our heads and see the other.  So as we waited for our turn in the O.R. we kept waving and smiling at each other.  Steve got to sit next to us.  And when Micah was really bored, he would come over to my bed and we would get to lay together and wait.  The nurses kept coming to look at us.  They were wondering where the patient in Micah's bed was and then they would look at me and see two patients in one bed.  It kinda felt like a sleep-over.

Tortured for Christ

I hate going to the doctor for ladies.  HATE HATE HATE  It has always been my least favorite thing to do.  I would rather jump out of a plane.  But yesterday I had to go.  Every 5 years I have to visit the torture chamber and my time was up.  I tell myself to imagine I am being tortured for Christ.  Well I realized yesterday that I will not survive being tortured for Christ.

I chose a doctor based on her picture on the hospital website as to who looked the nicest.  Well, when I called to make the appointment the doctor wasn't available, so I just took whoever they gave me.  She looked nice when I saw her.  And really, she was nice.  But she wasn't gentle.  And being gentle is more important to me in this position.

I explained to the doctor what I needed done and she told me that usually they do it under anesthesia.  But I told her that I had done it twice without being put under and I knew it would cost a lot more, so she agreed to do it in her office.  Actually, we had to go to the exam room down the hall.  I was told to get undressed.  No gown was handed to me.  The doctor and two nurses did not leave the room.  We just all stood there while I dropped my drawers and climbed on the table.

Then the torture began.  She got her sharp metal instrument ready and cleaned me with iodine.  I squirmed and tightened all the muscles in my body.  That did not help with the exam, which hadn't started yet.  But neither did the shaky bed I was laying on or the wall I was pushed against.  The doctor decided I needed to be on a better table, with better light, and stir-ups.  So I got dressed and headed to the labor and delivery room.  I again had to get undressed in front of several ladies and jump on a table.  But the stir-ups did not keep me from pushing as far away from the doctor as I could and I told her it would be better if I had the anesthesia.  I got dressed and dejectedly walked out of the hospital, trying hard to hold my tears in and push it all deep inside me.

Become a Follower

May I ask that if you read my blog you become a follower please.  If I have over 30 followers I can sign up for http://www.booksneeze.com/  which gives free books to bloggers to review.  I would like to do that.  So I need you to follow me if you can figure out how.  Thanks!

God Loves Me

I am reading a Brennan Manning book right now and really enjoying it.  It is a daily devotional called "The Rabbi's Heartbeat".  One of the first lessons is on our shame and God's love.  It really spoke to me.  Here is just one line from the book.
    "God loves who we really are - whether we like it or not, and calls us to come out of hiding into a safe place."

Last week I posted something on Facebook that shocked people.  I just wrote about poop.  To me it is no big deal and even funny.  I mean, we all poop.  But someone thought it was inappropriate and asked me to remove it.  I was a bit surprised at this and thought maybe she was joking in asking me to remove it.  But she was serious.  I didn't mind removing it because I don't want to offend people and it is really no big deal.  But I am surprised how it made me feel.  I felt shame.  Like I did something wrong.

Shame is a familiar feeling that raises it's head in my life over and over again.  I have gone to lots of counseling and have never figured out where it comes from and why it is there.  So instead of trying to figure out why I have shame I am trying to learn to not let it come out anymore.  Brennan Manning speaks a lot about this.

It is easy for me to try to be that perfect woman who does all the right things and says all the right things.  But that isn't the real me.  I am not perfect.  And I don't have to be perfect for God to accept me.  So if I am living my life for the purpose of pleasing others, I will fail.  But if I live my life to be accepted by God, I win.  And it is much easier.  I have already won.

Burqa Ladies

When we left India to go to Thailand (see post below) there was an interesting observation I made at the immigration counter.  There were two ladies who were in complete burqas that covered their face down to their feet.  I asked our immigration officer how they deal with burqas.  The immigration lady said with a laugh, "We need to figure that out still."  They just let them go right on through without matching their passport to their face.  I immediately thought about how easy it would be to traffick people to other countries.  It also seems like a security violation.  And an easy way for criminals to leave the country.

Thailand

We went to Thailand over the holidays to renew our visa and to visit our besties there.  LOVE LOVE LOVE Thailand!  We stayed at a cheapo hotel (because I am the one who books our hotel) and it came with a free fish foot spa.  That was a highlight of our first few days.  We all laughed at the tickle that came when the fish kissed our feet.  Then we took a 10 hour bus ride to Chiang Mai that turned into a 14 hour ride, arriving at 4AM.  We got to listen to loud Thai movies most of the ride.  We stopped once for a potty break and a food break.  I ate something very spicy and got back on the bus.  We arrived exhausted.

Steve does more activities then I do.  He and Micah went and played airsoft with our friends.  Steve went out to a pub to listen to a jazz band or something.  Then he rented a motorcycle and went on a day trip in the mountain with the guys.  He bought some honey, but we never got to try it since it broke in Micah's bag on the flight home.

I hung out with my pal, Jen.  We got a massage that was fun.  We went to a house-warming gathering for a friend of hers.  And we hung out in the kitchen and talked.

What I love about Thailand, besides our friends, is that we can be outside.  Micah rode a bike, I went for a walk, and Steve rode the motorcycle.  I LOVED seeing Micah play outside.

We returned to Bangkok on another 10 hour bus ride and went to another cheap hotel.  We did our final shopping and got our needed socks, underwear, and a bunch of other stuff that is just more convenient to buy at a big store.  I drank a thai iced tea almost every day.  I love the ones that are made on the street corners outside.  And we always end our trip with a burger at Burger King at the airport while we wait for our flight.

See you in a year, Thailand!