What a Great Idea

Lori the Laundry Queen suggested that instead of complaining through this holiday season we should list three good things. I love this idea. She has decided that she will post three good things in each post this month, so that she can focus on them rather than her frustrations. And since it is the holiday season and a very stressful time, it is a good reminder to focus on the positive.

# A nice newish van that is comfortable and roomy for the traveling during this time of year. (Notice I am not complaining about 26 hours in the car in 5 days. Just kidding Sus)

## Sundays a day of rest, the only day my husband doesn’t have wresting practice or tournaments until Christmas.

### My BFF Ellen and her birthday on Sat. which compels us to have a girls afternoon, and thus help entertain my kids on the first Saturday of wrestling season. No Daddy = a very long day.

Random Acts of Kindness

Today I was in the restroom at Wally world waiting for an open stall. It sounded weird in one of the stalls. I couldn't tell if the woman was ill or if that was just normal for her. Then I heard her call out "Ma'am?" I wasn't sure who she was talking to so I didn't say anything. There was a Walmart employee in there so I figured she would handle it. She left seeming not to notice. Then the stall door opened and an elderly lady stood there trying to button her jeans and do her belt. She asked for help with the belt. She was a large woman and not very steady on her feet. She had her shirt pulled up exposing her bra so she could see her belt buckle. By this time I was the only one in line so when she asked me to help I stepped into the stall and knelt down to see if I could help. She had stuff twisted so I quickly could get her buckled and on her way. She kind of shuffled out the door. After I used the facilities I stopped at the sink to wash my hands. A woman had walked in just as I was fixing the belt and she was at the sink next to me. She stopped me to tell me how nice it was what I had done. She wasn't sure what I had done but thought it was very nice that I had helped the other lady.

That got me to thinking. Wouldn't anyone have helped if they had been asked? Remember a few years ago when the bumper sticker was so popular, "Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty" Isn't it sad that we notice that people are kind. Shouldn't that be such a common occurance that we aren't surprised when someone is courteous or helpful. Have you seen that commercial for insurance or banking that has a woman pull a man back so he won't be hit by a car and it starts a circle of kind acts which eventually loops back to her. We should all be doing it.

I spent the weekend driving (it felt like it anyway) We drove to Corpus Christi so visit my sister. So that is about 26 -28 hours in the car just getting there and back. It seems to me that if everyone followed the do unto others rule for driving maybe we would have fewer accidents and less frustration. Traffic might move better. We might be happier people if we let go of our me first mentality. Let the mini van in the lane she needs. You're not that much of an hurry. Seriously people.

A New Road

I've had to learn to take a new route to Bible Study this fall. A few weeks ago as we were driving down a certain street in town, my four year old asks me, "Mama, when are we going to that owl place?" I racked my brain to think about what she could mean. I don't know any owl places, and I couldn't see any that seemed to fit that description at the intersection. So I asked her to show me. Ya'll, she pointed to the H**ter's restaurant that opened in the past year or so. Seriously. How do you answer that one folks? I am sure the food is fine, and I doubt it is the den of iniquity that it is portrayed as being, but still. I told her that we weren't going to go there. And of course she wanted to know why. I stuttered and stumbled to come up with a good reason that would make sense to her. I think I said it wasn't a kid place. I didn't think any more about it until the next time we were going by there on our way to Red Robin, one of their favorite places to eat. She asked again. Shan was with us and he didn't have a better answer for that than I. This went on a couple more times as we went places. That intersection is on the way to the east bound interstate and softball games, etc. I no longer drive down that street if I can help it, at least with the kids. I am finding new roads.

Miss Me?

Wow it's been a while since I posted. I keep starting posts in my head, but never finding the time to sit down and write them out then post them. I have been running for about a month. Crashing the deacon meeting was fun but it led to a lot of work. And we aren't done yet. I will post before and after pictures as soon as I take the after pictures. We are done with the two offices, and they look fabulous.

It is the beginning of wrestling season so I have returned to widowhood until March with some limited time off over the holidays. I did talk my husband into missing three practices over Thanksgiving for family time. It was a major concession for him. I even got him to take a personal day last Friday for our trip to Arkansas. Whohoo big big big big day! I was tempted to ask "who are you and what have you done with my husband?"

As I was reading Heather's blog today, two things leaped out at me. "Am I not allowed to do what I choose to do with what belongs to me?" I love her answer to this. Everything we have is God's and He allows us to use it. Our time, our talents, our resources, our churches, our homes etc. My parents really impressed this upon me growing up. They have always had a nice home, not a mansion, but comfortable and they insisted on having a spare room no matter what for overnight guests. My father's family was very poor as he was growing up and they were very impressed by the house we lived in in KC and the one here in Topeka. To me they were always just home, because that is how my folks made it. I remember my mom saying to those who commented on the home, that she and dad felt that God had blessed them with the resouces to have a such a home to be used as a ministry to others. I can't tell you how many times we hosted people for various reasons. From a meal to a month long (or more) stay. It was a great example to me of this principle. All I have is from God and I am commanded to use it for His glory.

The other thing I want to reflect on is this: "If it doesn’t line up with scripture, it honestly isn’t for me." Isn't that a fabulous summation of how we are to live our lives? She was talking about it in context of churches and that is where I would begin if looking for a church. I am blessed to be in a church that follows this. May we all be living our lives by this.