Opportunities in Odd Places

Okay. . . you'll never believe this one. I had one of those, "I've never experienced this before," moments the other day. For those of you who have nursed your children, you know that sometimes you have to feed them in some pretty unique places. I've fed my son in numerous bathroom stalls, in empty sky boxes at ballgames and workshops, in parked cars in countless parking lots, and the list goes on. But, until the other day, I had never fed Oliver in a room full of caskets. Oh, yeah, you read it right. . . caskets! You see, our church is meeting in a funeral home right now. (Long story. I'll have to blog about that another time.) So, when he needed to be fed the other day, I had to look for a room that was private, and the only space available was the coffin room. It was just me, Oliver, and 14 caskets! Sounds creepy, I know. Oddly, it wasn't. It was peaceful. It was quiet. It was humorous. I am always looking for what to blog about next. I am never quite prepared, however, for the situations that come my way!! I told everyone after church that it wasn't bad, in fact, I'd had fun picking out the caskets I liked best and thought were the prettiest! What a wild experience!

Of course, the crazy-coffin-room-feeding-place made me do a little thinking. Sometimes, we judge people or situations by how they look or how we "think" they are rather than reality. We tend to get "creeped" out when something is out of our comfort zone, and we miss amazing opportunities. Opportunities to share Jesus with someone who desperately wants to know Him. Opportunities to shine in a dark workplace or school or neighborhood. Opportunities during the storms to find peace in the One who is in control. The opportunities are limitless. And, my experience the other day taught me that I don't want to miss any of them!

Just Remember "Peg Leg"

It's a good thing I like to exercise because I'm getting my fair share of it at the moment. No, I'm not trying out a new fitness routine. . . I'm chasing after my eight-month-old. That's right, Oliver is crawling! And, he is on the move! Places to explore. Things to get in to. He started to crawl while we were at my sister's house a couple of weeks ago. It's actually quite a cute sight. He can crawl normal, but he prefers the peg leg method. Hence his new nickname, "Peg Leg" Spencer! I'm sure you can picture it . . . crawling around in normal form except for that one crazy, stiff, straight-as-a-board, left leg. It's amusing. His new ability to get around may keep us on our feet, but it's worth it. It's fulfilling to watch him as he figures out the world around him. He's inquisitive, excited, and busy. He literally can't sit still any longer.

That makes me think. . . shouldn't our lives be like that as Christians?! On the move. People to see. A difference to make. We should be busy and excited and desperate to share Jesus with the world around us. It doesn't matter if we have limitations; we can still accomplish great things for Him. Doubt that thought? Just remember "Peg Leg" Spencer. All we need is one good "leg" to stand on. . . one "dream", one "talent", one "desire", one "purpose", one " ___"(you fill in the blank). Just imagine what would happen if we, as Christians, couldn't sit still any longer either!!

Stinkin' Thinkin'

The other day, I introduced Oliver to one of the great joys from my childhood . . . Zig Ziglar. If you don't know who that is, he is a motivational speaker who created music for kids with positive messages. His songs were all about succeeding in life, making good choices, having great attitudes, being a winner, etc. I loved my Zig Ziglar tape! Seriously, I LOVED my Zig Ziglar tape!! I honestly think it's part of the reason I turned out to be such a crazy optimist. Even as a kid, I loved being positive, and Zig Ziglar knew just how to "pump me up" with inspiration. Our family listened to his tape, "See You at The Top", over and over in the car when we took road trips. I knew every line of every song. Songs like, "Don't Kick the Cat", "Goodbye, Mr. Mediocrity", "Don't Be Flaky Like the Biscuit", "Stop the Stinkin' Thinkin'", and "Dr. M.Y. Self". (Makes you want to borrow my tape, doesn't it?!)
So, the other day, when we were on a small road trip, Jarrod and I gave Oliver his first "Zig Ziglar experience". It was great! My first time to really pass something from my childhood on to my child. Something with meaning, hope, optimism, and worth. And, you know what? I'm pretty sure he liked it!! I suspect he'll be singing the words before long, just like his mommy!

The motivational blast from the past got me thinking. . . It's really important to me to begin, even this early on in his life, to fill Oliver's mind with good things. I want him to be positive even when times are tough. And, boy have times been tough lately. We all go through times like that at some point. Times when discouragement sets in. Times when people let you down. Times when the future is uncertain and the present is unbearable. Times when it would be easy, even understandable, to fill our minds with bitterness and negative thinking. But, instead of getting bogged down with the injustices of life, I am choosing to fill my mind with Christ. With His love. With His promises. And, with His power. As I heard one time, we need to focus less on the mountain and more on the mountain mover! JESUS IS ABLE. I'm going to fill my mind with that thought. And, if that doesn't stop "stinkin' thinkin'" I don't know what will!

A Tribute . . .

No more Aloha! My parents are on their way back home today from their dream vacation in Hawaii. From the sounds of it, they had an unbelievable trip. I am so eager to see their pictures and hear their stories (I plan to live vicariously through them!). You see, it would be exciting enough if they had just planned this dream vacation themselves, saved up, and went for a week to the beautiful Aloha state. But, their story is more amazing than that . . . this trip was given to them as a gift of appreciation from their church family! What a family, huh?! My dad has served as the preacher in Garden City, KS for 20 years now. And, as a way to show their love and appreciation for him and my mom, they planned this once-in-a-lifetime vacation for them. They started a year ago, planning and raising money. They had secret meetings so my parents would have no clue what was going on. They asked my sister and me to help find out where they'd love to vacation. They planned a huge party, complete with an appropriate "luau theme." One of the reasons we went to Kansas for vacation this year was to attend the party for my parents. I am so thankful we were able to see them honored and to watch them cry with joy as they received such a generous, jaw-dropping, amazing, loving gift. It was touching. The church in Garden City is a rare church. I am thankful for them and to them for loving my parents so deeply. What a beautiful partnership. What a beautiful expression of appreciation. Thank you, Garden City Church! Welcome home, Dad and Mom!

Ready, Aim, Shoot!

Paper plates are no longer safe with me around. Even bowling pins are a bit afraid. It's true. You see . . . I've been to the shooting range! For one afternoon, I was the star actress in "Wild Wild West, Aubrey Get Your Gun". It all happened when we were in Kansas visiting my parents. My dad took me (and my brother-in-law) to the gun range for an afternoon of target practice. What an experience! A hands shaking, palms sweating, heart racing, experience. My first time holding a gun, shooting a gun, basically anything with a gun. Now that I think about it, my dad and brother-in-law were awfully brave! It was really fun. Scary. But, fun! I was a pretty decent shot for a first-timer. I even told Jarrod and my mom, when I came home that day, that I felt like Angelina Jolie in an action flick. (So my imagination is grand . . . let a girl dream, will ya?!) Who knew that "gun slinging" would end up being one of my favorite things I got to do on our vacation. Thanks, Dad! I had a great time! You are a great teacher!! Let's face it, you had a great student!!

Of course, my 'wild west experience' got me thinking. Sometimes, we need to try new and scary things for God. The kind of things that make our world's race and our comfort zones shake. We have to fill ourselves with bullets of bravery, imagination, passion, and willingness and take aim at the opportunities before us. Otherwise, we may never hit the target of what we're meant to do, or be, for God. So, what do you think? Ready. . . aim. . . . . . . . . .

Growing, Growing, Growing

I know it's been a long time! I haven't dropped off the planet . . . I've just been in Kansas!! We went on vacation for a couple of weeks. Family reunion first. Then to my parents' house. It was such a fun trip. I'm sad it's over! Never seems like time with family is long enough. These last few weeks have been packed with so much stuff. Lots of activities. Lots of fun. Lots of changes in Oliver. Who knows, I might just be able to blog for a week straight!! (Don't hold your breath though!)
Today, Oliver is 6 months old! So hard to believe. He can now sit on his own. He just got his first tooth. (And, I hate to break it to him, but it looks like another one is about to make a grand entrance in the near future!) He reaches out to be picked up. He gives kisses. Wet, slobbery, nothing-could-be-better, kisses. He laughs a lot. And, boy does he jabber!! He is getting so big.
It makes me wonder if God watches our growth with the same sense of pride? "Oh look, she's getting some patience." "Watch how she is walking in MY footsteps today." "Did you see her hold her tongue in that situation? What a mature girl she's becoming." I don't know if He reacts like we do as we watch our little ones grow and mature, but I imagine it that way, and it makes me want to continue to grow in my walk with Him. It makes me want to live in a way that makes Him proud to show off my progress as a child of His!

On the Hunt . . .

I've become a regular at Sears. I know every appliance in the store. In fact, we are on a first name basis. I've met the lovely, shiny, way out of my price range, GE Profile. The fancy, bells-and-whistles, only-in-my-dreams Bosch. The Kenmores, the Maytags, the Whirlpools, and all of their "wouldn't that look amazing in my kitchen" friends. I am not out to torture myself with endless, wishful window shopping. . . I'm on a mission. I'm searching for the perfect microwave. The over-the-stove, microhood kind. The one I had quit. No warning. No more warming. You wouldn't think it would take so much effort to pick a microwave, but it has for me. I need it in a certain color. I, of course, want a good price. I want it to look a certain way. . . the right handle, the right buttons, the right everything. I don't want brand confusion with my stove. (It shouldn't matter, I know. But, I'm weird that way.) It has been such a tough decision. I found myself locked in the store two nights this week. That's right, I was the last one there. The annoying shopper who holds everyone up from going home on time. The one who ignores the handful of announcements about the store closing in 10 minutes. . . 5 minutes. . . now. And not once, but twice. I did finally pick a microwave. Felt happy with my decision. Got relatively excited. Then, found out it couldn't be ordered. Out of stock. So, the whole process started over again! What an ordeal!
The whole experience got me thinking. . . am I putting as much effort into my prayer-life? I am a prayer-gal. I love to pray. I believe in the power of prayer. But, I have to wonder, (I have to be honest) do I get lazy? Do I give up quickly when I don't see the results I'm looking for? Do I let the devil convince me that I don't have enough time? Am I attacking my prayers with the same fervor I did in my appliance search? Am I willing to "stay late" in the presence of my God in order to make sure that no praise is left unsaid, no detail left out, no blessing left unnoticed, no request left "on the shelf"?
Odd as it sounds, I want my prayer-life to reflect my microwave hunt. Purposeful. Specific. Detailed. Passionate. PRIORITY.