Up at the crack of dawn. The full moon is still shining. It's amazing how much light the moon sheds upon the earth. Yet it's so far away. Creation still astonishes me.
Received a book called the Prodigals and Those who Love Them, by Ruth Graham. There's some terrific poetry interspersed with stories about various prodigals. Being one myself I can quickly relate. You can pick up the book from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080105897X/104-2391731-1084729
You know blogger is much easier these days. Go blogger go.
If only I could write, that means the ability to put together a sentence and spell properly. It could make all the difference in the world. Should have paid more attention when I was in school. I listened to Father Joe this week and was blown away by the authors skill, wilding the English language like a surgeon's knife in his hand. It was a joy to listen to him read the book he pened so well. I guess a first from Cambridge in Literature really pays off.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Oh Happy Days! Oh Happy Days! Oh Hippy Days! Oh Hippy Days! This is yours truly enroute to living another hippy adventure. I thought I left it behind at Woodstock, the original one. Yet there is something is my heart that aches for community. I don't know what it is. I don't know what will happen but it looks like I will be heading next week to Twin Oaks sister, the little Acorn. Wish me luck in this experience. Dare to dream, dare to live your dream.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Back from Clinton, SC and Greenwood SC where I spoke at CWC. We had a great response which is always encouraging. Listened to a great book on the way there and back "Father Joe". I would highly recommend it.
I'm thinking about communal living. Is there anyone out there who has had this thought on their mind or on their hearts? I don't think we were made to live by ourselves or so insular. I love people and need the stimulation that a community offers. I wish I knew of some communities I could visit. Reflective time, time to think where am I going, what are some of my goals? I heard the other day on the bio station a celebrity saying her Dad said to her when she was young "Find out what you love, then find a way to get paid". Which I thought was brilliant but in retrospect I don't really know what I love. I pray to God that He would give me a passion, a love, a dream that would really be custom suited just for me.
I'm thinking about communal living. Is there anyone out there who has had this thought on their mind or on their hearts? I don't think we were made to live by ourselves or so insular. I love people and need the stimulation that a community offers. I wish I knew of some communities I could visit. Reflective time, time to think where am I going, what are some of my goals? I heard the other day on the bio station a celebrity saying her Dad said to her when she was young "Find out what you love, then find a way to get paid". Which I thought was brilliant but in retrospect I don't really know what I love. I pray to God that He would give me a passion, a love, a dream that would really be custom suited just for me.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Today I woke up and looked at my e-mail. It's 6:46 am, early in the morning. My friend Leslie send me a cool writing on the value of time. I thought I'd share it with everyone on the blog.
The Importance of Time
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr.. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important..Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time.
The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said.
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most, '" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.
"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.
Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4 Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep
5 You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
Tell me what you think.
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr.. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important..Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time.
The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said.
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most, '" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.
"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.
Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4 Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep
5 You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
Tell me what you think.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Proverbs 3 is so rich it talks about loyality and wisdom. There were so many words that spoke to my spirit. Read it and tell me what speaks to yours.
Jan is off to the cardiologist tomorrow. He's having a aterial ablation. I don't know when they'll schedule the procedure but it should be in the next couple of weeks. They have to take him off his blood thining medications before. Anxiety is plaguing him and I pray that God's peace would hold him like a mother hold's her infant baby. He could find rest in God's arms.
Jan is off to the cardiologist tomorrow. He's having a aterial ablation. I don't know when they'll schedule the procedure but it should be in the next couple of weeks. They have to take him off his blood thining medications before. Anxiety is plaguing him and I pray that God's peace would hold him like a mother hold's her infant baby. He could find rest in God's arms.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
So Alexandra has left which has somewhat left a hole in my heart. But I spoke to her on the phone as the U-haul was in front of her new inner city accommodations. Her spirits are high and that makes mom feel a bit better.
I've been playing bridge this afternoon on http://zone.msn.com. They have tons of games you can play. But I love to play bridge. My nickname is joyfuljoyful4 so look for me if you're a bridge player. I'm usually in duplicate novice room 1. I think that's the link but if it's not try the msn search engine and type in zone games. You will come up trumps.
I took the dog for a walk today at Reynolda Park which was beautiful. The sun shining, the birds singing, people playing. It was very enjoyable.
Well tonight I'm going to have left over Chinese. Is there anyone else out there who is having left over Chinese tonight?
I've been playing bridge this afternoon on http://zone.msn.com. They have tons of games you can play. But I love to play bridge. My nickname is joyfuljoyful4 so look for me if you're a bridge player. I'm usually in duplicate novice room 1. I think that's the link but if it's not try the msn search engine and type in zone games. You will come up trumps.
I took the dog for a walk today at Reynolda Park which was beautiful. The sun shining, the birds singing, people playing. It was very enjoyable.
Well tonight I'm going to have left over Chinese. Is there anyone else out there who is having left over Chinese tonight?
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Alexandra is off tomorrow. Today is the last day together until Christmas. Letting go is sometimes difficult for a mother. I asked Jan, my husband how he felt about it? He said he was fine. I think it must be a mother thing? Any other mother's with similiar feelings?
We returned from Lake Lure and I wanted to put a couple of pictures on the site to share with you all. So, enjoy them I did.
I'm trying to figure out posting multiply pictures from "Hello". Hello, hello!
We'll see????
We returned from Lake Lure and I wanted to put a couple of pictures on the site to share with you all. So, enjoy them I did.
I'm trying to figure out posting multiply pictures from "Hello". Hello, hello!
We'll see????
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
