So...How Was Your Day?

Or the other working title: The Stripper, The Church Lady and God


So, before I tell you about my day I want to share this with you. We had our boys over for dinner on Sunday night. Alyson called us on the webcam and we got to "talk" with Carter. Jeffrey snapped several pictures during the "conversation". I haven't heard Carter laugh that hard ever. It was great!

At the end of every day I give thanks to God for the gifts of my family. And after a day like today, I'm especially grateful. Let me tell you about my day:


Today started out just like any other day except instead of having to go into the office, we were able to start our "work" day from home. See today was a mandatory prayer day at The Crossing, meaning once a quarter, we close down the office and send our staff out to spend the day with God. We've been doing this on the 5th Tuesday of the month for probably 3-4 years. It usually ends up being an amazing day for most of us. After our prayer day, during the next week, we have our all staff meeting and the staff brings back their stories of how they encountered God on their prayer day. It can be anything from a beautiful sunrise, to a friendly smile from a stranger. Someone always has a "God sighting" they can share. Our prayer days have become a very welcome time when we can get our spiritual tanks filled up again.

My plan was to take a bike ride with God first thing this morning. That was MY plan. I was going to ride through our community and pray for neighbors and people and then come home to listen to some worship music and journal for a while to see what God would like me to do next. That was MY plan...it's pretty obvious God had another. I was on the last leg of my bike ride with only half mile to go before I got back home, when off to my right a car didn't stop at a stop sign and I was struck by car. Yes, you read right, I was struck by a car.

Her name is Kaylene. She was driving a 2008 Lexus. She'd been up all night at her "job". She raced home to change clothes because she had to go pick up her boyfriend and take him to the airport and was hurrying to meet him. She didn't even stop at the stop sign. She looked right and I was on her left. She never looked left.

That particular intersection is notorious for having people blow through the stop sign. I see it every day. No exaggeration...EVERY day! As I was approaching the intersection I made a mental note to be extra careful because of past observations at that corner. Two cars before the Lexus rolled through the stop sign...didn't stop. I looked past the entry and saw the white car, but knew I had plenty of time and I could proceed, cautiously, yet safely. I kept my eye on the car...she sped up, looked right as she approached the corner. I slowed down, keeping what I thought was a safe enough distance, believing she would look left and see me and stop...she never did. In fact, she looked right, saw an oncoming truck and I assume, figured if she gave it a little gas and accelerated, she could beat the truck. She made a sharp left turn, continuing to accelerate...I yelled three times at her while she made the turn right into me! She hit the front tire of my bike and knocked me off it, right onto the pavement.

I immediately sat up and said, "What were you thinking! You didn't even look! What's wrong with you!!!!!!!!!!!" She got out of her car and said; "I'm sorry hon, I didn't even see you. I've been up all night and I'm late for picking up my boyfriend. Can I give you $300 to fix your bike? I'll give you my personal information". Seriously, that's what she said! I just sat on the ground, completely shaking and crying. A witness (whose name I will find out) stopped to make sure I was OK and to see if I wanted him to call for help. I said yes. I was so upset and shook up, I seriously didn't know if I was hurt. I couldn't believe this little girl (probably 20...driving a brand new Lexus SUV????) just hit me with her car.

Within a few minutes a policeman showed up and a short time after that the paramedics showed up. They checked me out and aside from an elevated heart rate and B/P(geez, wonder why) I was OK. Banged up and bruised, but OK.

I called Chip, who was heading to California for work. By the time I reached him he was already in Baker. He was ready to come home, but after just a few minutes I knew I was OK and there was no real need for him to come back.

I received a copy of the police report and Kaylene received a traffic ticket. She was cited for "Failure to stop at a stop sign and something about hitting a non motorist" (bike rider)...she'll have to appear in court. She did tell the cops she'd recently received another ticket for speeding, near her school. I'm not surprised.

After about 45 minutes, we were done and I was left with my bike, afraid to get on it again having to get myself home. Just the thought of getting back on the bike and riding the couple of blocks to my house overwhelmed me. I walked it the rest of the way. I called Chip and he kept me company and my mind from racing until I walked in the door.

Once inside the house, I fell apart. The adrenaline rush was wearing off and my body ached from head to toe. My thoughts raced through all the "what ifs" and I couldn't stop crying. Around noon, exhausted and achy I laid on the couch. I started to doze when I heard breaking news on the TV about the earthquake in California. The phone immediately rang and my mom was on the other end wanting to know if I heard about the earthquake. We contacted all our family and friends and were extremely relieved to hear they were all OK. My sister and niece Shannon live in Fullerton and LaHabra and my other niece Melanie lives in Corona, CA. They're all fine, very shook up and my little nephews are worried about when the next "earth shake" will come, but all in all, everyone is fine. I heard from Chip who was in Barstow at the time of the earthquake and although he felt it, it doesn't appear as if the railroad suffered any damage. We were all very lucky today.

So, that was my day. Not the day I had planned in my mind; the picture perfect prayer day, my Bible, my journal, my God and me. Nope. So, what was God's plan for me in this crazy day? Where should my focus and prayers be directed? One thing for sure is I'm very thankful for my family and friends. The countless phone calls, text messages and emails from people who love me, wanting to make sure I was OK...I've never felt so loved and cared for.

The other thing I think is, as my frustration and anger over my little accident subsides, I can't help but wonder if I was also being used by God, in a lesson He might have been showing Kaylene? I don't mean to sound arrogrant about this at all. Forgive me if it sounded that way, but what if...? What if God, in His wisdom, is using me in some way to show Kaylene who He is?

If I didn't have a prayer plan before, I do now. Will you join me in that prayer?

Father God,
Thank you for being with me today and for keeping me safe. Although shakin' up and scared I knew You were in control the whole time and I'm thankful. God, I lift up Kaylene to you. Lord, she is your child and although I don't know if she knows you, I do know she needs you. If your plan is for me to be used in some way to show You to her, I will do it. Please help me to be bold and unafraid. I will follow where you lead.
Thank you for all my family and friends. You have truly blessed me.
In Jesus' name. Amen

Three Words

GO. SEE. IT.


I gotta tell you I was a little apprehensive. I saw the stage play and loved it. I was sure the movie version wouldn't capture the fun you have when you're experiencing the live version...but it did.

Yes, it was campy. Yes, the singing was...not at the level of the stage version, but it was fun. I found myself smiling from the first note to the last...and yes, I even sang along. And the scenery...well, all I can say is, I've got to get to a Greek Island before I die!

I also want to tell my husband thanks for seeing it with me. The fact that he even liked it is extra sweet. Thanks Honey!

So, while the rest of the world opted for the new Batman movie, I'm glad we spent our money on a great night of catchy music, a silly plot, a great cast of characters...Go See Mama Mia!

What Do You Think?

I came across this video clip on AOL. Take a few minutes to view it...I have some thoughts I'd like to share afterward.

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/article/hasselbeck-cries-over-use-of-the-n-word/88098

I saw the tease on AOL and I was intrigued. I've always liked The View and I really do like Elisabeth Hasselbeck on it and I wondered what had made her cry. I think she's young and refreshing, a little naive yes, but still she's interesting to watch. After watching the exchange between Elisabeth, Whoopi and (I think) Sherri Shepherd, it got me thinking....and thinking....and thinking....of course it was replayed on every entertainment news magazine show last night and that didn't help...but I have to tell you I was somewhat appalled at what I heard from Whoopi and Sherri. They were telling Elisabeth and Barbara (Joy Behar remained uncharacteristically quiet during this exchange) they'd better not ever hear the "n" word coming out of their mouths or any other white person's mouth, but it was OK if they (meaning blacks) use it. They went on to say that the "n" word can be used as a term of endearment, when spoken by another black person. What????? Elisabeth tried making the point, that by ANYONE using the "n" word (I think she said "Pop Culture") it's just bringing back the hateful thoughts and the pain of their history...of our history. She went on to try and dumb it down a little to get clarification on how she might teach her child, but then Whoopi goes off on a little rant about her mother not having been allowed to vote in the country of her birth. Well here's a news flash for you Whoopi, all of our female anscestors coudn't vote at one point in history, but that's another issue.



I get they hate THAT word. I HATE that word. I cringe each and everytime I hear someone say it.... black or white, and I know there is still plenty of racism in this world. I'm not naive nor do I think Elisabeth is naive to the fact there are still people who don't like the black population just because they're black. But come on, I think Elisabeth had a valid point. We do all live in the same world. There are those of us who are trying to change this world for the better. We're trying to teach our children to look at people as people. We don't want to merely tolerate, we want to accept and live as I believe God intended us to live, in peace. We want to embrace people as people, unique in the way God created them, not as man sees them. But, as long as there are people in this world who insist on setting a double standard, we will never be united. We may never see that peace.

My parents taught me and my siblings to "treat others the way you want to be treated". I think those are words of wisdom and everyone should learn to live by them. God, please help me to always do that.

So I leave you with this scripture:

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:11

God has commanded us to love one another, if we start and end with that, the rest shouldn't even matter.

Contrary to Public Belief...

(click on the title)

...I am not the oldest blogger in the world...although some may say, now I am.

May I always yearn to learn something new...just like my mom! http://greatgrandmawebb.blogspot.com/
Check out her blog!


Father,
My prayer is that as I age, I always have a child-like faith.
Thank you for my health and the desire I have to keep my mind young.
Amen

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

When we were in Albuquerque, NM for 4th of July, we were fortunate to hang out with a few of the other "fellows" at the hospital where Mike is working. One of the guys got tickets for us to watch an Albuquerque Isotopes ballgame. We were especially excited, because after the ballgame there was supposed to be a fireworks exhibition! We had hoped to see the fireworks show should Carter and his sleep schedule cooperate. We were geared up to leave if this little guy, who loves to sleep in his own bed, and only in his own bed, would allow.

What we didn't anticipate was the weather, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Carter was a champ! We had fed him before we left for the park. He was happy, dry watching everything! When the crowd clapped, Carter joined in. It was great. The group had bought tickets out in the outfield. This is a really cool ballpark...I've never seen one like it before. Out in the outfield, there is a grassy knoll, tiered for seating and socializing. At the top of the knoll is a midway, filled with carnival games and rides. It's awesome. Carter was instinctively drawn to the midway mezzanine (after his daddy took him for a walk up there). He couldn't get enough of it...if we tried to sit down and watch a little of the game, Carter tried to get to the top of the hill any way he could.

The ballpark is beautiful and that day, the weather was great. It's monsoon season in the southwest and the clouds billowing upward and around the stadium made for a beautiful sunset.

Carter was ready to take yet another walk up to the midway and I volunteered to take him for a walk. Any chance I get to spend one-on-one time with Carter, you'll see me jump at the chance...it's Grandma and Carter time! I love it!

As we're making our way up the little hill, it begins to rain. Lightly at first, with big, fat drops falling downward. The teenagers in the crowd were trying to catch the raindrops on their tongues. It was weird, something I'd never seen anyone do before, let alone teenager who usually try and look cool.

As we continued up the hill I noticed a young family with smaller children, scrambling to gather their blankets and coolers. The young children asked why they had to leave and their mommy said, "it's about to storm, hurry and gather your stuff!". I made a u-turn back to our group and mentioned what I heard. I told them they may want to start folding up the blankets and get ready to leave. I would finish taking Carter up the hill to the midway and when I got back we'd see if indeed, the storm was coming.

I walked Carter to the top of the hill and before we entered the midway gates, it was raining harder. I decided to take the shortcut down the hill back to the group and by this time it was coming down a little harder. People began gathering up their belonging and started toward the exit.

Quickly, and I do do mean quickly, the skies opened up and we found ourselves in the middle of a torrential downpour and heading toward the exit, along with 6,000 other people. The wind kicked up, the lightning began and the thunder rolled....and our car was about a half mile away. Chip and I had Carter. Carter was in his stroller and thank goodness, we did have an umbrella with us. I think we brought it just in case the sun got too hot, but whatever the reason, we had one. Chip and I kept Carter under the umbrella the best we could, while we dodged in and out of the crowd, trying to keep our eyes on Mike and Alyson.

Mike and Alyson were helping one of the young mom's in our group, who was there with her two little girls. Alyson and Mike knew we had Carter and he was safe. We tried to take shelter underneath one of the eaves, but the wind was blowing directly at us and it really didn't help us out at all. The thunder and lightning was getting louder and brighter by the minutes.

Finally, we just decided to go to the car. It didn't look like the storm was going to blow over anytime soon and we didn't want Mike and Alyson to worry about us, so we took off toward the car. Carter, who was under the umbrella and shielded from the wet, was humming the whole time. "Singing in the Rain" came to my mind as we walked through ankle deep puddles and streams. He wasn't freaked out in the least.

We met Mike and Alyson in the parking lot and we couldn't help but laugh out loud. We were all drowned rats. Soaked to the skin, with not a dry bit of clothing on. I literally had make-up running down my face. I'm thankful everyone wanted to keep their cameras dry, because we didn't need or want to see pictures of us, soaked to the bone. We all loaded our drenched bodies into Alyson's car and drove home, watching the most spectacular lightning show I've seen in a long time.

Needless to say there was not a traditional fireworks show that night, But God made sure we saw a spectacular show nonetheless. And in addition, helped create a wonderful family memory!

God,
You are the Creator of everything. You send us the rain, you know where every lightning bolt will strike and how loud the thunder will roar. Thank you for helping to orchestrate a ballgame postponed on account of rain, and turned it into a memorable family experience.

May I always see the cloud with the silver lining in all You do and give You the praise.
Amen

Happy Birthday Bryan

It's hard to believe it's been 32 years since you came into this world and made it a happier place to live.

From the beginning of time it was obvious the path your life would take.
You've loved motorcycles since the day you were born. You used to call them your "umma, umma's" because of the sound they made: Ummmaammmmaaa, ummmaammmmaaa!











Early on we knew you would somehow take center stage. Come hook or crook it was your calling.

So Bryan, as your 32nd birthday comes to an end, may you reflect back and know, that from the very beginning of time you were loved. Even before you entered into this world, God in heaven loved you more than you can imagine. He chose us as your family, and even though you may have questioned his judgement at times, we couldn't have been happier.

Happy Birthday Bryan! To quote another wise woman in your family; "He's a good egg...when he's sleeping"! Love you Bry!

Father God,
32 years ago today you blessed us with our first born. It was at that moment we somehow got a sense of how much you loved us and how you wanted a relationship with us. That's the desire we had when we looked into his tiny face. With each child thereafter, our love got deeper and grew even stronger, not just for them, but with you.
We are grateful for each of our children and the people they've grown up to be. Thank you for these precious gifts.
Amen

It's A Boy

Raising Boys
(Roberta I. Teague)

I scrub the wall of fingerprints,
Pick up the mounds of clothes.
I sweep the dirt that shoes track in-
Wish I could use a hose!

Meals are served from dawn to dark,
Dirty dishes crowd the sink.
Just when they're washed and put away-
Everyone wants a drink!

The washer pulls the dirty grime
From pants worn thin and patched.
They look so very neat and clean-
Yuck, look what the pockets hatched!
Broken bones and bloody knees,
I should have been a nurse.
I take it all in shaky stride-
Just grateful it's not worse!

Screams and shouts and arguments
Test the keeping of my cool.
They left the neighbor's faucet on-
See their new front yard pool!

A soothing bath is ecstasy,
A reward at the end of my rope.
Raising boys isn't really bad-
But first I must wash the soap!

A rose can say I Love You,
Orchids can enthrall;
But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,
Oh my, that says it all!

Congratulations Mike, Alyson & Carter on the news that BG#2 (Baby Gilles #2) can now be referred to as BBG#2(Baby Boy Gilles #2)!!! We're very excited and will continue to pray for all of you. This is going to be fun!

Dear God,
Thank you for this precious gift of life and the joy he will no doubt bring to us. Lord, I pray he will remain healthy and secure in his mother's womb until his birthday and from that day forward.

Lord, as we await the arrival of BB#2, I pray that you help my family transition from life in Nashville to their new life in Albuquerque. Bless them with friends who can support them and love them as their family would, until the day comes and they can join their family again. Bring people into their lives who will help them grow closer to you and who will bring additional joy into their lives.

Lord, we love you and thank you for our granchildren and we trust in your perfect timing in everything.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

4th of July, 2008

This is how we spent part of our 4th of July holiday in Corrales, New Mexico. You gotta love small town, U.S.A.! God Bless America!

Crazy, Random Thoughts

So, there are a ton of thoughts going through my mind. So many so that I'm having a hard time organizing them. I want to post something poignant and thought provoking, but what the hey, it's no use. Here are my thoughts for today...

I attended a memorial service today for a 10 year old little boy in our church family. When a child dies you can't help but ask, why? When an adult passes, for some reason, I can wrap my mind around it. When it's a child, that's a little more difficult. I have to admit, through the stories and the eulogies people spoke today, I saw how God will use this tragedy and will continue to use Joseph's life to touch people. Joseph brought an awful lot of happiness to a lot of people. I've been on this planet 5 times longer than little Joseph and I have to wonder if I will leave as important a legacy and Joseph has.

Random thoughts continue:
Happy birthday Dr. Mike. 30 years old...you don't look a day over 29!
We love you very much and are very proud of you!

Happy Birthday Jack K. You bring a huge smile to my face each and every time I see you. I can't believe you're 2 years old! You make the time between visits with Carter bearable! I hope your day was fun!

You must read this book: The Shack by William P. Young I finished it this weekend on the trip to ABQ. I cried. We have an awesome God who "is very fond of you". To further quote a reviewer: "It offers one of the most poignant views of God and how he relates to humanity..." "It will encourage those who already know him but also engage those who have not yet recognized his work in their lives." On the back of the book it says: Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. Pick up a copy today...you'll be so glad you did!

Thoughts keep coming:
It rains an awful lot in Albuquerque during monsoon season. I've seen it in movies, but I've never been caught in a literal, torrential down pour before...I can never say that again.

There are never enough hours in the day.
There are never enough weekends in a month.
There are never enough vacation days in a year.
Sigh...
This isn't complaining...this is merely an observation.

I have the cutest grandson on the planet:

We're expecting an equally cute grandchild in December...can't wait until Wednesday when we find out if we're expecting a baby boy or a baby girl!

I came home tonight to discover I'd left the refrigerator door open, all day long while I was at work. Today was an exceptionally long day too, with the memorial service and all. I heard the refrigerator door alarm going off the second I walked in the house. The temperature read 139 degrees in the fridge. Normal temp is 42 degrees....good times!...Good news; I didn't have much food in there. We've been gone so much the last several weeks I haven't done much grocery shopping lately. Must look for the silver lining!

So, even after clearing my mind of these random thoughts, I still feel my brain is one jumbled up mess.

Deep sigh...I will try again tomorrow.

Father God,
Please help me to slow down just a little. Help me to see You in everything I do and everyone I see. May I be a reflection of You to others. Help me to decipher the random thoughts that are constantly running through my head. If there is something You are trying to tell me, help me to slow down, remain quiet and hear Your voice.
Forgive me for constantly having an endless list of things to do that run through my head. Help me to trust You more and depend on me less. Your timing is perfect and I see that every day. Help me to loosen my hands from the "controller" and give it completely over to you.
I love you God.