Bullets

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for me. There were and are so many blog-worthy moments and ideas ... but alas, I settle for bullet points.

- Went to Easter sunrise service, sung Easter hymns at nursing homes, came home to sleep and recoup and ate egg scramble, ham steaks and cinnamon rolls for Easter dinner.
- Was whisked away by my sister's on my 30th birthday (3/25) to get a massage, go out to lunch and get manicures and pedicures. Then finished off the night with more shopping with the hubby and a fabulous dinner at TGIF's : )
- Recouped on Wednesday (all that pampering was exhausting!)
- Worked on Thursday and then got to go shopping again for an outfit to wear to my official 30th birthday party. (shopping without the kids -- yeah! thanks mom!)
- Went to the Ranch House on Friday night with family and friends to celebrate my 30th. What a magical night ...

Other highlights ....
- Watched the movie, Trade. A must see, but hard on the heart and soul.
- Had a date day with Sage ... strawberry ice cream and gallery shopping downtown. She kept thanking me for taking her out ... guess I need to do that a lot more often!
- My dad underwent his first round of radiation on Thursday (he has undergone various chemo-therapy treatments but his new doctor wanted to go forward with the radiation).
- Found out my little sister is pregnant! Makes for 7 grandkids in 4 years!! Go sistas!
- Went to the women's tea with my mom today -- we never get mom/daughter time, so that was pretty special.


Now I am up to date!

Don't finish the novel ...

Pastor Paul encouraged us this week "not to finish the novel." Huh? He was talking about holy week and the events leading up to Jesus' death, including the death itself. He said, "Stop! Linger, wallow and experience the crucifixion of Christ this entire week, and don't go any further until Easter morning." He argued that without meditating on what occurred before the resurrection, how can we feel the full joy of the resurrection itself? So I got out my bible yesterday morning and read Mathew's account of the events leading up to the resurrection. I am hoping to read Mark's view today and then Luke's, etc. Still, it is difficult to find that quiet time to really reflect upon this entire subject, esp. with kids running around, snacks, lunch, dinner, etc. to be prepared, dishes to be cleaned, etc. But, God knows this. He knows everything. Hey, if you get a chance, come to the labyrinth, hosted by OVCC. If it doesn't get you into the mood I am not sure what else will.

www.ovcc.org

F.I.N.E.

Freaked Out
Insecure
Neurotic
Emotional

I was at the OBGYN today and a woman sitting in the waiting room was quietly crying. After a while she was called into see the doctor. I happened to look up when she was re-entering the waiting room. Fresh tears filled her eyes. She left the office swiftly and within 5 seconds I decided to follow after her. I caught her just as she was getting into her car and from a distance I said, "Excuse me, are you okay?" She had her cell phone up to her ear, but she responded, "Yes, I am fine."
I don't know what news she received. A possible miscarriage? Perhaps the loss of hope of having children at all? Whatever the news, nothing about her was "fine."
Of course, I am a stranger, so maybe, "I'm fine," seemed pretty appropriate. Whatever the case, it broke my heart to see this woman in pain and I pray God's healing on her heart.

Craigslist is Trafficking

Did you know that Craigslist is serving as a portal for human trafficking? Here is the article. Here is the main website to learn more. Awareness is the first step.

Sulfur Mountain

I have lived here all of my life and still never made the long bike-ride down Sulfur Mountain -- until yesterday. Cory set me up with a bike, gloves and helmet and Ryan drove us to the top of the mountain so we could make the downhill ride. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous were our views. Seriously, the ocean and greenery (even the cows, mules and horses) were amazing. We didn't stop to take any pics ... we were going to fast to stop! Hahaha ... j/k. Oh, and we were going to have Ryan pick us up at the bottom, but that didn't work out so then we got a killer glute work-out riding up the path back into Ojai : ) Ryan looked it up and I think it was a 15 mile ride ... no wonder I am so tired. Here's the link to flickr.

New word

Diarena, commonly known as Diarrhea. Sage's newest word to date.

I'm Sorry

I have had to say that phrase a lot lately. And yet today (while I was again saying it to none other than my mom) I realized that when I utter those words I feel the truth of what it means to die to yourself. In an apology ( not an "I'm sorry, BUT" apology) , I am humbled, I am broken, I am wrong, and whatever I was I don't want to be again.

The tally of my apologies this week ....

To Ryan: I am sorry that my words to you this week have been unkind.
To Sage: I am sorry that I lost my temper and yelled.
To my Mom: I am sorry that we got in a tiff this morning.

Where would I be without God's redemptive love and forgiveness? Somewhere very far from true joy and happiness.