I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet

Yes! I'm alive! I made it back from LookUp Lodge with no broken bones, several cuts and bruises (yes, it's a jungle out there!), rejuvenated and eager to get closer to the Word. It was an amazing week in so many ways. The schedule was fairly exhausting, and my body retaliated a bit, but I knew even through the pain that it was good for me. That place is just one mountain after another! You can't get anywhere with out climbing! Never could figure out why there wasn't much climbing down for all the climbing up...

There is a LOT to be said about "getting away from the world", which is what their sign even says! No phones, no TV, no texting, no newspapers, no Xbox, no nuttin'! It took me a couple of days to get my head cleared of the riff raff of life. But then - pure bliss! God's creation is so beautiful, and the Holy Spirit is much easier to hear when there is nothing else to listen to. I believe the youth bonded with the adults, and visa versa. People had to relate to and entertain each other - that's so 1950's! Hey Beav, where are you?

I've come back just hungry for the Word and feeling closer to God than ever, so much more aware of what He has done for me! I've learned more about the youth of today than I thought I needed to know, but all said I think we have a great group of kids at FBC Wagener. Life is so much harder for them than it was for us - the pace, the peer pressure, the temptations. It's just a different world and I really wouldn't want to be them. They really need our love and guidance. Even if you DON'T think they are listening, for ever 100 things you say, maybe 1 will make an impression on them! So hang in there with the guidance. And love, well that's what they need most of all...

This is not from our trip, but listen to this smart kid...he gets it!

WOW!

I even took my own advice and stepped out of my own comfort zone! Remember the fear of heights thing? Well...I went down the zip line! Jumped from a platform 50 feet in the air and relied on a wire to hold me up while I zipped on down to the lake. Impressive, eh? I don't remember it much; I was screaming all the way down...

I also went through the slobstical course, I think they call it. Running an obstacle course in knee-deep mud with a bunch of 16 year olds is not a very bright thing to do (thus the scrapes and bruises), but I had some help! Thanks, guys! I didn't much care for the mud milkshake though...

And, as expected, my own daughter pretty much ignored me. At least I was expecting it. I would have been totally shocked if she hadn't! Love you anyway, gal!

Get out there and find yourself a little piece of heaven, commune with God, and be thankful for every day he gives you! I am.

Free Fallin'

I'm getting ready to go to Look Up Lodge with the youth at church. It's my first time as a chaperone. It may be my last. We'll see how I do. I'm really looking forward to it; the place holds a special place in the heart of my daughter. She isn't passionate about much, but she is passionate about LUL. What could be better? This may be the only summer I can go with her, to experience what she has been experiencing. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity, all things considered. I just have to remember one thing, "she doesn't know who I am" while we're at camp!

I think you should try new things in life, even when you're getting older and more worn out, like me. I don't know about you, but I learn something new every day. And I'm usually willing to step out of my confort zone and try new things. As long as it doesn't have to do with heights, I'm good! Just ask my daughter. I can't even go to the moutains anymore; the dips and bends in the road just scare me to death! You know that feeling when you're asleep, and you feel like you're falling and you jerk yourself awake? Yea, like that. No way on earth would I jump out of an airplane, or bungie jump. Just no way on earth. $1,000,000 wouldn't even touch it!

I encourage you to try new things. What's the worst that can happen? (don't answer that!) Start with the things that you really don't think you can do, but really want to. Expand yourself. Turn a page and see what's there.

I'm thinking of learning how to clean my house...maybe after my nap...

I Second That Emotion

Wow - I know I am no "Poof" and I just don't have time to blog everyday, like Poof does, so you'll just have to anticpate my next pearls of wisdom...absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all!

I tend not to talk or write about things when I have a lot of worries on my mind. I've laughed and I've cried almost every day. I know, I know - you're not suppose to worry. You're suppose to turn it all over to God...yes, I keep reminding myself of that every other second, but I guess I'm more stubborn (or human) than most! I keep wandering back into worryland, then I feel guilty for THAT, the I worry some more... I'm just a mess sometimes. There have been a lot of stresses in my life lately, all things that in the long run don't amount to a "hill of beans"as we say in Hoosierville. All I can say is, hey - I'm alive by the grace of God! And that usually does it. I just have to stop whining dead in my tracks.

I have learned a lot this year, through my illness, and I continue to learn every day of my extended life.
1. Friends are worth more than gold.
2. God is still in the miracle business.
3. Time heals all wounds.
4. You can't hold on to your children; you have to let them go.
5. Encourage one another.
6. The best cure for worry is to get busy! Do something for someone else.
7. Get enough rest - it's does wonders for the mind.
8. Look for the good in everyone.
9. Be content.
10. Thank God daily.

So, now that I'm out of my rut, I think I spend the rest of the week feeling good, not worrying, praising God.

What will you be doing?

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. ~Proverbs 12:25

Here We Go! 1st Annual Walk The Walk

Okay ladies, let's gear up for our 1st annual Walk The Walk hike. Yes, I named it myself! As the fearless leader of the "Sole Sisters" walkers, I felt it my duty!

I hope all/some of you have kept this date on your calendar to walk with us; if you have not, you are a slug! Not really, I'll love you the same. But puleeaasse, if you can make it, do come!

WHEN: Satuday, June 14, 2008
TIME: Leave Wagener at 7:00 a.m.
WHERE: Lynch's Woods Passage of the Palmetto Trail
MEET: At Debra's - I'll drive!

Lynch’s Woods Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Newberry County)

Although this moderately difficult section of the Palmetto Trail is short, the beauty of the park makes it a worthwhile hike or ride. Mountain bikers may find some surprise challenges, in the form of short steep hills. You will pass through a forest of old growth trees and trickling creeks. Ground flowers in the spring and summer add to the beauty of the area. Other trails within the park are available to extend your hike or ride, but be aware that some of the trails are shared with equestrians. Length: 3 miles. So, we'll walk the trail and back to the car. Total hike: 6 miles

I hope you can come! I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. ~Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)

Reliable Person Wanted

I was talking with some friends tonight about one of my favorite subjects - reliability. No, not the kind the Maytag repairman anguishes over. I mean as in people who are reliable - do what they say they are going to do. Someone you can count on, 99 9/10% of the time. Of course, we humans foul things up once in a while and just plain forget to do something. But, what I see is a very short supply of people who really take it upon themselves to DO something they have committed to doing. Just plain flaky...why do they say "yes"? Has it just become lip service to say, "yea, I'll do that" and then make no effort to do it, nor feel the least bit bad about it later? I really have a problem with that. Are people afraid to say "no"? YES! They are! But I'd rather them say no, so I can ask someone else if I need a hand. Puleeeeaaasse!

It's one of the things I really strive for personally. To be reliable. To be where I say I'm going to be, do what I say I'm going to do. Am I perfect? I think not. But I strive for it, and don't take it lightly. I don't make excuses, and I don't blame others. I do it, unless I'm dying in bed, which I have actually been before!

It's odd; if you look in the want ads for job openings, almost all of them say "looking for a reliable...". It's important. But then, why do so many people not recognize that? Or are only reliable when it suits them? Such a good question, no good answer.

If I teach my daughter one thing in this life, and it may only be this one, it's to be reliable.

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified Bible)