Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sweet!!
I was just looking through my e-mail, which I hadn't checked in several days, and saw that I have won two books through Goodreads First Reads giveaways! WOOT!
One is Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar, and the other is This Burns My Heart by Samuel Park.
They should both be arriving in the mail within a couple of weeks! AWESOME!! I'm super excited! Free stuff is the best, especially if it's books!
One is Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar, and the other is This Burns My Heart by Samuel Park.
They should both be arriving in the mail within a couple of weeks! AWESOME!! I'm super excited! Free stuff is the best, especially if it's books!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Catching up... again.
Did ya miss me?? I simply haven't made time to keep up with my blog for the past month... other things kept crowding it out... work, commute, READING!, goodreads.com (my new favorite website; it's like a facebook for booklovers!), and this past weekend, the beach. Speaking of the beach, it was gorgeous weather: low 80's, breezy, a bit overcast- all of which made me succumb to the illusion that less sunscreen was required and the umbrella wasn't really necessary. FALSE. I now sport the worst sunburn I've had in years, and am religiously applying aloe lotion at every opportunity. Despite being cooked, it was a wonderful and relaxing weekend. I just love walking barefoot along the shore in the evening, right where the waves skim the sand, listening to the soft rush of the water and taking deep breaths of the cool salt air as it ruffles your hair. Ahh... bliss.
The reason goodreads is taking up so much time? I've joined a book club on there, and I love it! Games, giveaways, book discussions... it's fun. I've already won a book!! You can also use the site to rate books you've read, make a to-read list, and see what other people are saying about books. It's fabulous.
I can't believe it's June. 2 year wedding anniversary coming up! Time has really flown, but I'm loving every minute.
I guess that's it for now!
Please pray for our church: our new youth pastor and his family are moving here this week; and keep Daniel and I in your prayers as well.
The reason goodreads is taking up so much time? I've joined a book club on there, and I love it! Games, giveaways, book discussions... it's fun. I've already won a book!! You can also use the site to rate books you've read, make a to-read list, and see what other people are saying about books. It's fabulous.
I can't believe it's June. 2 year wedding anniversary coming up! Time has really flown, but I'm loving every minute.
I guess that's it for now!
Please pray for our church: our new youth pastor and his family are moving here this week; and keep Daniel and I in your prayers as well.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Creative Tuesday: Short and Tall
Whew! Almost didn't get this one done! I had a really hard time getting the creative juices flowing this time, then when they did flow, they refused to translate from my imagination to paper. But I finally got it! Just a sketch, but I'm satisfied. The little dog is based on my dog Griffin, but as you can see in the pic on my sidebar, Griff is much lighter in color. I love my poochie!!
When I first saw this theme, my very first thoughts were of couples. I'm not a portrait artist, thus, the dogs. Anyway... There's a super sweet couple at my church where the husband stands at close to 7' and is long and lanky, and his wife is about 5'2" and a bit plump. Such a big contrast!! Next I thought of myself and my husband, I'm about 2 1/2" taller than he is, and when I wear heels (he doesn't mind) it's much more drastic. One of my cousins and his wife make a very tall couple, he at 6'8 and she at 6'3. Then I've seen cute little old couples, both short and stooped. Some say "opposites attract", and others want to find a match who has many of the same characteristics they themselves possess. Height really doesn't matter, it's the quality of relationship and the love shared between that makes a couple last. Much love to my Baby!
You can check out other peoples' tall and short artwork at Mr. Toast's blog.
When I first saw this theme, my very first thoughts were of couples. I'm not a portrait artist, thus, the dogs. Anyway... There's a super sweet couple at my church where the husband stands at close to 7' and is long and lanky, and his wife is about 5'2" and a bit plump. Such a big contrast!! Next I thought of myself and my husband, I'm about 2 1/2" taller than he is, and when I wear heels (he doesn't mind) it's much more drastic. One of my cousins and his wife make a very tall couple, he at 6'8 and she at 6'3. Then I've seen cute little old couples, both short and stooped. Some say "opposites attract", and others want to find a match who has many of the same characteristics they themselves possess. Height really doesn't matter, it's the quality of relationship and the love shared between that makes a couple last. Much love to my Baby!
You can check out other peoples' tall and short artwork at Mr. Toast's blog.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Resurrection Sunday
Wow. What a wonderful Easter! Church services today were amazing- the music, the preaching... everything. We had 5 people saved in our bus ministry, and I just heard that one of our sister churches had 30 people saved as a result of a play they did tonight. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!
I really just wanted to take a minute to thank God for all He's done for me. I want to thank Him for dying on the cross for my sins. For taking my place as he was beaten, mocked, tortured, crucified, and for rising again so that I could have peace with God and eternal life with Him. I serve a risen Saviour who is alive and well today. I don't deserve His love, His mercy, or His amazing grace, but I'm thankful that I have it. It's available to any who will receive it: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -John 3:16
I really just wanted to take a minute to thank God for all He's done for me. I want to thank Him for dying on the cross for my sins. For taking my place as he was beaten, mocked, tortured, crucified, and for rising again so that I could have peace with God and eternal life with Him. I serve a risen Saviour who is alive and well today. I don't deserve His love, His mercy, or His amazing grace, but I'm thankful that I have it. It's available to any who will receive it: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -John 3:16
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Arby's Solicitation
While sitting in Arby's eating my lunch today, I was solicited for food by one of America's homeless.
I didn't see her come in; I only noticed her when she was right next to my booth. She put down her plastic sack containing some bottles with labels I didn't recognize, turned to me and said "I'm hungry. I want some food. Will you buy me some food?" Before I could respond, she went on "I'm homeless, I live on the streets, but someone I know let me stay with them last night. They sent me to the store, I had to walk all this way, and I'm tired and hungry." She paused for a moment, then repeated "Can you buy me some food? I want that, what you've got."
I was completely taken aback by her manner. Aghast. Flabbergasted. I think I sat there with my chin hanging for a moment.
Here's why:
Her attitude as she gave her speech was haughty and brusque, and not at all sincere. She was seemingly flippant, so I was a bit unsure how to respond. I didn't mind getting her some lunch, but I was in the middle of my meal, and sitting alone. Since she had been to the store, I asked if her friend had not given her some money. She replied "Yeah, for the store, but I want some food", continuing to hold to her very loud and obnoxious style. I said "Ok. Are you going to be here for a little while?" She said she was. "Well, do you mind if I finish eating? I don't have any cash, just my card, and I can't leave my food." She then said "Well I can take it and go order."
Umm... "NO". I think not.
I repeated my request to finish my meal, and told her I'd get her something then. She sat down at the table nearest mine, and I went back to my food. Not two minutes passed, and she went to ask a man sitting across the room. He was with a group, and agreed to help her, so I was off the hook. Had she waited, I would have helped her, but she was impatient, and to me, that speaks of the lack of a genuine need.
I don't mind helping people in need, but the way she conducted herself rather put me off it. She was loud and offensive, walking around the place like she owned it and talking down to me as if I owed her something. When I told Daniel about it over supper, he brought up a simple truth. Americans are spoiled and lazy. There are so many programs that provide things free of cost to the poor without them having to do anything to earn it, that many of them have lost their sense of work-ethic. This is not always the case, but it certainly seemed so for the woman I encountered today. It's hard maintain a compassionate spirit in situations like that. I felt a bit inept and uneasy following the experience, but I think I responded the best that I could given the circumstances.
Similar stories? Comments??
I didn't see her come in; I only noticed her when she was right next to my booth. She put down her plastic sack containing some bottles with labels I didn't recognize, turned to me and said "I'm hungry. I want some food. Will you buy me some food?" Before I could respond, she went on "I'm homeless, I live on the streets, but someone I know let me stay with them last night. They sent me to the store, I had to walk all this way, and I'm tired and hungry." She paused for a moment, then repeated "Can you buy me some food? I want that, what you've got."
I was completely taken aback by her manner. Aghast. Flabbergasted. I think I sat there with my chin hanging for a moment.
Here's why:
Her attitude as she gave her speech was haughty and brusque, and not at all sincere. She was seemingly flippant, so I was a bit unsure how to respond. I didn't mind getting her some lunch, but I was in the middle of my meal, and sitting alone. Since she had been to the store, I asked if her friend had not given her some money. She replied "Yeah, for the store, but I want some food", continuing to hold to her very loud and obnoxious style. I said "Ok. Are you going to be here for a little while?" She said she was. "Well, do you mind if I finish eating? I don't have any cash, just my card, and I can't leave my food." She then said "Well I can take it and go order."
Umm... "NO". I think not.
I repeated my request to finish my meal, and told her I'd get her something then. She sat down at the table nearest mine, and I went back to my food. Not two minutes passed, and she went to ask a man sitting across the room. He was with a group, and agreed to help her, so I was off the hook. Had she waited, I would have helped her, but she was impatient, and to me, that speaks of the lack of a genuine need.
I don't mind helping people in need, but the way she conducted herself rather put me off it. She was loud and offensive, walking around the place like she owned it and talking down to me as if I owed her something. When I told Daniel about it over supper, he brought up a simple truth. Americans are spoiled and lazy. There are so many programs that provide things free of cost to the poor without them having to do anything to earn it, that many of them have lost their sense of work-ethic. This is not always the case, but it certainly seemed so for the woman I encountered today. It's hard maintain a compassionate spirit in situations like that. I felt a bit inept and uneasy following the experience, but I think I responded the best that I could given the circumstances.
Similar stories? Comments??
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Update
I had forgotten how exhausting it can be to sit in class for a week, absorbing and applying a boatload of all new information. By 5 on Friday, my brain had shifted to "stand-by".
My set of skills has expanded quite a bit since I started my new job. If you were to come to my clinic, I now have the skills to enter you as a new patient in the system, register you, put in all your insurance information (if you have multiple insurances, I can coordinate your benefits), get a referral from your doctor and enter it in our system, and collect your co-pay (if you have one). After I got you all checked in, I'd take you to an exam room and get you settled to await your consultation with your doctor and possible subsequent treatment for whatever ails you. I can take your x-ray, and if need be, wrap you up in a splint or cast. I can also remove said cast on your next visit. When we're all done, I can show you out. Oh yeah, I've got skills. Will I have to do all of these things with every patient that comes through the door? No (I don't have that multiply-yourself-into-10-people superpower). But I know how. They're making me a very valuable and versatile employee, which is great for my job-security. Once the clinic really gets off the ground and we bring a few more staff on-board, things will be a little easier. I'm really enjoying work, it's just taking some time to rebuild my stamina after being off for so long. Weekends have definitely regained their value.
In other news, we had a youth revival at church last night and tonight. It was such a blessing to see the teens' willingness to come and serve God. The services each night were wonderfully refreshing. I really enjoyed all the singing, as well as the messages. I hope it becomes an annual event. On a side note, Daniel has done a great job leading our youth choir. Every week you can see their confidence increase, and more and more of them are volunteering to sing a solo part or participate in a small group. I love it! Now, I'm really looking forward to our church services tomorrow.
As you may have noticed, posts are coming few and far between these days. This is due to the fact that my spare time has become much more... spare. I'll continue to blog, but it'll probably be just one or two per week, whenever I have the time or something worth saying. I've got to balance blogging with my other hobbies, reading and art! Thanks to all of my readers- keep me in your prayers!
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