Sunday, July 26, 2009

It's Cookin'

Okay, so it's HOT! And I'm not just being some whiney Washingtonian complaining because it is 75 degrees and I don't have an air conditioner.

The heat wave started rolling in at the beginning of the weekend. And from what all of our doppler-informed weather people are telling us, that was just the beginning. By Wednesday, they say we'll be flirting with 100! Frankly, I don't want to flirt with anything or anyone in the sticky-sweaty-all-my clothes-stuck-to-me state that I'm in. But 100 could be a record breaker for that date.

Now, here's the really great part. I'm going to work tomorrow, to my air conditioned office where I will need to bring a heavy sweater to put on over my light weight sleeveless blouse in order to not end up with freezer burn on my arms. Yup, there just doesn't seem to be a happy medium. Oh, well. Before I know it, the day will be over and I'll be home again trying to sleep in my second story bedroom that has done a great imitation of an Easy-Bake oven for the last three days.

Lest you think I'm complaining, I'm really not. I admit that I'm not really a HOT weather fan, but I do so prefer HOT over COLD and ICE which was what seemed to hold us captive all of last winter. So, this evening, as I reclined in my lovely new lawn chair on the deck, just hoping to catch a little breeze, I imagined what my deck looked like last winter, covered with that nasty white stuff. And suddenly, I didn't mind a little sweat and stickiness!

Of course, if you ask me how I feel about it by Wednesday, my story might have changed. After all, I have a limited supply of shorts and tank tops. Which probably means that I'll need to go shopping!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Walking, Abiding, Resting

Well, Elizabeth has begun her "Russia Experience" even if it is taking place in Pasadena, California at the moment. On Sunday, she arrived at the school where she will have her month of training before coming home for a brief two weeks and then heading out to that land, far, far away!

Over the past several months, I have struggled to release my little girl into God's most capable and loving hands, trusting that He loves her even more than I do. Some days I am quite successful at it (little pat on the back). Other days, not so much.

But I have noticed that as time goes on, the overwhelming flood of anxiety comes less often and in smaller waves. And at those times when the swirling waves of fear nearly knock the shifting sand out from under my feet, I have learned to simply state, "God is in control," and to leave it at that whether I feel any comfort or not. I have to, because this is a fact and it doesn't matter how what my feelings are screaming at me.

During the past few months, as I well-meaning (I think that they are!) coworkers and friends have related horrific stories of people they know who have experienced first hand, the crime and corruption overseas, I've had to swallow the knot of fear in my throat and say, "God is in control." Or as I've watched the teetering world economy and wondered what the conditions will be like in a year, I've had to say, "God is in control." And even tonight, when I read Elizabeth's blog where she shared what she has been learning about the violence, police corruption and crime overseas, I have to say, "God is in control."

A few days ago, I found great comfort as I read my devotions from wonderful little book called "Joy & Strength." The book is actually a compilation of "writers of many countries and centuries." And while many of the entries are very old fashioned in their writing style, they often speak to my heart.

July 15th's reading started with Exodus 33:14. "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." And then the author, John Pulsford, began his writing with these words, "Heaven consists in nothing else than walking, abiding, resting in the Divine Presence."

Walking, abiding, resting. That's what I needed to hear. Because, regardless of where I go, (or Elizabeth goes,) God's presence goes with me. And He has simply called me to walk, abide and rest in Him. If I do that, I will find peace in accepting that He truly is in contol and whatever happens, happens within His good and perfect will. And that knowledge is enough for me tonight.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

That's My Boy!

Okay, so sometime when I wasn't looking, my little boy became the "Special Guest Speaker, Pastor David Miles." I know he's all grown up. For crying out loud, he's coming up on 26 years old.
But it's just not everyday that you see your kid's name on a church's reader board sign! There's no doubt about it, it's pretty cool! Way to go, Pastor David. I'm sure you blessed their socks off!
P.S. to Pastor David: Notice the part where it says, "Bring your family?" I would have been there for you. AND, I would have said "Amen!" at all the right times! (Smile)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Walking by the River

Today has been absolutely beautiful! Beautiful and hot!! My husband, daughter and I went for a walk along the river on the Orting trail this morning. It was wonderful to spend some time together as a family before Elizabeth heads for training in California on Thursday. She will be learning everything she needs to know for her year in Russia, at least I'm pretending that she'll learn EVERYTHING she'll need to know.

But, back to this morning. It was scorching hot out there on the trail (don't I sound like the real outdoorswoman!). Finally the path wound around so it was following the course of the river. The milky, mountain water at least looked cooling even if we couldn't get out to it. And it was much nicer to be there than to be cleaning house or doing the yard work that I should of been doing.

At one point, we found a shady spot along the trail and stopped to eat some Rainier cherries I had brought along. They were so sweet and delicious. A real summer treat!

So, I've gotta say, I'm a fan of summer. And no doubt about it, today was summer at its best!