Learn to dance in the rain

"Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain." ~ Vivian Greene

I quote I saw yesterday. It's a good mind set. Given the past 5 months of trial and uncertainty, it is clear that rain doesn't go away on our wishing. It is not something we control. There is so much going on in the midst of a rainy day that can be missed focusing on what can be done once it stops.

It's raining today. We have outdoor family pictures scheduled for today. So, we will take our umbrellas.

when the job description fits

Recently I heard an available positions described like this, "If you are someone who always looks at the way things are done and think you can do better....this is the perfect job for you". I laughed and looked around the room for those people who may own that trait. Back seat drivers. Arm chair quarterbacks. Bleacher umpires.

A couple weeks later the job is mine. Enough said about that?
I have made it no secret that my dream job is that of consultant. Consultant General. I would consult on anything because I am certain that I am qualified. Just don't ask me to find one thing to do and do it well.

I am thinking about forming a club - or would it be a support group? 

Learning styles

People learn in different ways. I am familiar with three of the common learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. I also have been told that a good teacher should, for the sake of the various students, make an effort to include several if those styles in one lesson.
Today, I would like my lesson in a little more focused fashion. I have had quite enough of the learning by doing. 

This is what the Lord says--
   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
   who teaches you what is good for you
   and leads you along the paths you should follow.
- Isaiah 48:17

Today, I would like just to be told what to do. Sounds refreshing. 

what to do in a spin out of control...Learning to Appreciate the Journey - Beliefnet.com

I feel very out of control today and I was in need of inspiration. For some reason I counted, it has been 48 days of what I was optimistically calling a "sabbatical". I did recently learn that this won't be the unpaid sabbatical, that's a relief - a victory. It has been a long time for me not to have anything except for survival to work toward. You would think I would be more prepared for an upcoming reentry. It won't really matter if I am ready or not. I am anxious to know what it is I will be doing. So, I will read something, watch something, cut and color my hair, clean my house, and maybe new glasses - some things that I can control.

Learning to Appreciate the Journey - Beliefnet.com

wanted: a ukulele

In times of trial, one always must - if for nothing but for coping - look for the lesson, or purpose, right? I am now in week 3 of seeking wisdom, resources, patience... in a circumstance that I would not be in if it not for another person's free will to exercise evil intentions. I have options to explore, challenges to face and much time to contemplate.

Today is Sunday. I was treated to a word from my God through scripture and a very meaningful time of worship with music. I left with the need to learn a new song, or to relearn how to sing an old song.

Psalm 27

 ¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
      so why should I be afraid?
   The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
      so why should I tremble?
 ² When evil people come to devour me,
      when my enemies and foes attack me,
      they will stumble and fall.
 ³ Though a mighty army surrounds me,
      my heart will not be afraid.
   Even if I am attacked,
      I will remain confident.

 ⁴ The one thing I ask of the Lord—
      the thing I seek most—
   is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
      delighting in the Lord’s perfections
      and meditating in his Temple.
 ⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
      he will hide me in his sanctuary.
      He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

I have, since our difficulties began, been only a little bit joking about my fear of our eventual dwelling place being that of a tent - and the unfortunate reality that a couple years ago our neighbor boy broke one of our tent poles - and a faulty tent at that. In the NIV version, verse 5 reads, "he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent". I like that.

 ⁶ Then I will hold my head high
      above my enemies who surround me.
   At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
      singing and praising the Lord with music.

I was just at World Music yesterday saying that maybe I would learn to play the ukulele... now may be a good time for that. 

 ⁷ Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
      Be merciful and answer me!
 ⁸ My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
      And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
 ⁹ Do not turn your back on me.
      Do not reject your servant in anger.
      You have always been my helper.
   Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
      O God of my salvation!
 ¹⁰ Even if my father and mother abandon me,
      the Lord will hold me close.
 ¹¹ Teach me how to live, O Lord.
      Lead me along the right path,
      for my enemies are waiting for me.
 ¹² Do not let me fall into their hands.
      For they accuse me of things I’ve never done.

with every breath they threaten me with (lateral) violence. 

 ¹³ Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
      while I am here in the land of the living.
 ¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
      Be brave and courageous.
      Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Sing, sing a new song! ....I need a ukulele.

having fun isn't hard...

You know that feeling that you get when you come out of a fantastic film experience - you were so engaged, you dismissed the reality of the world outside the theater? When you lose all track of time? When you have to reorient in a short period of reentry as you move through the doors of the theater... Imagine that for a couple of weeks... pretending I am on sabbatical.

It is a good thing for library cards. Besides the coping with a reality that still feels very surreal, I have lately (the past two weeks) had much need for distraction and much time for applying myself to reading for that purpose. With last two books written from a perspective that is unfamiliar to me, one of a child with CP (btw: a must read for any middle school student, I think) and another from the perspective of a dog, I began to sense a need for a little reorientation.

So, I select another book from my list of reading that goes back a couple of years...and it is a story of a journey of isolation and desperate wandering.

I think I'll take a break, submit a couple more applications, send a couple emails, go for a swim and then watch season 7 of ER which I also picked up at the library. Later, more of a PBS documentary on the history of baseball.

Having fun isn't hard...when you have a library card!

nice girls don't change the world

One of my favorite times with a book was that time I spent with a little book called "Nice Girlds Don't Change the World" by Lynne Hybels. The book is Lynne's story, along with a challenge to the rest of us - to live dangerously. Recently, I picked this book up again and gave it another read.

I resonated with the book the first time I read it, enough to start this site. It was a theme for myself and group of ladies who are investing their lives in church planting. So, fear and fatigue were common sitings. I am once again head on in the face of fear. A great thing about the Kingdom of God, even though I have never met Lynne, even though the book is a couple years old - the messages of courage and faith remain. I can trust in the love and wisdom of God. So, I'm off to Starbucks now...with Lynne and my bible. Ready to face another day....

"a good woman is that she sings her song even if she's terrified. Whatever she's called to do, she does it, even if she's so scared her voice breaks, her hand shakes, and her stomach aches. She doesn't let fear stop her."