Seeking Dream Interpreter

Joseph, Daniel, where are you?
Ok, so here is the deal. I keep having this recurring dream (and no, I am not talking about the one where you are naked and in public and hoping that no one notices you - though I have had that one or I am in my PJs and wondering if people think that I am in real clothes - no, wait, that was real life) .....back to the dream. Sorry, I digress. I am always in this apartment, but it is a house, because I realize that I own it part of the way in and then that it has a secret passage way into a bigger section of the house, even bigger than what I was initially in and it always has these beautiful bathrooms with garden bath tubs (I love those.) That is really it, no killing or bugs (though I also dream alot about snakes). But it seems strange that I am always dreaming about having a bigger place that is accessed by this secret door. Now, my favorite book as a kid was "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Could that have anything to do with it? Dreams always trick me. What's up with those? Why do we have them and then go months where we don't? Does anyone know? Oh, and if you think that my dream is telling me that I am way too into materialism, then go on, tell me, I can hack it. If it is a strong dose of repentance that I need, then I must take it like a man.... or a woman. Well, you know what I mean.

Whatcha got there Dad?

A camera? Wow! That is neat. What's a camera?

Today, Pumpkin and I went outside and for the first time ever, I let him play in the grass (he is almost 9 months and I am only now doing this). So, he pulls up a divet of grass and dirt and slowly lets it slide between his fingers, scrunching his eyebrows as he gazes intently on this new feeling.... grass.... dirt.... fascinating. We had to get him away from the dirt, in fact, just to get his picture with him looking up. As you can see, the mobile little guy won't stay put for a picture real well. He decided to check out the camera, but Dad's quick clicking skills allowed him to still get a picture. Way to go, Dad! Way to get the pic!

What about the Old Testament?

When I became a believer, I was determined to read the Bible from cover to cover, starting with the Old Testament. I think that I made it to Ruth and I was extremely discouraged. Not only did I need milk, but someone to feed it to me as well. But not long after that, my pastor encouraged the congregation to read the Bible in its entirety. So, I did and this time I started with the New Testament and then went to the Old Testament. This was just a few years ago (2000). Since then I have continued to make an effort to read the Bible through from cover to cover. It seems so overwelming at times, but each time that I do it, I learn more and more. But continually, I find that there is an overall neglect of the Old Testament in Christian circles. I believe the basis for this neglect is a neglect of the Old Testament in personal bible study. We have to know the entirety of the Word of God to truly grasp its truth. Are we reading from cover to cover on a regular basis? The New Testament alludes to the Old Testament and the Old Testament alludes to itself over and over and when we see these examples and really get it, the Bible comes alive to us. It actually begins to make sense. The Bible should be the backdrop to our prayer and understanding of God and his interaction with us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Did God tell you to do something in personal prayer? Can you trust it? Well, what does the Bible say about it? Does it coincide with Scripture? Well, it is hard to know if you don't know Scripture in its entirety. This is how one "tests the spirits." My request? Let's embrace Scripture in its entirety over and over again.

Why are there chairs?

Now, don't get me wrong. I love dogs. But really, if you are going to market a dog camp and you pick the dogs up on a bus, then why in the world would you have chairs on the bus? I'm sorry but the dogs with the inside seat are getting totally shafted and it seems to me that they would be way more comfortable in something like a doggie bed. Is anyone concerned with the fact that the only thing that seems to bother me about this is the fact that the dogs are all sitting in chairs? How in the world did they get them to sit in different chairs anyway? So many questions regarding this one. If you would like to see more pics and more of the story, check out the following link: dogcamp I'll be honest. This one really baffled me. Really.

Play That Funky Music

Ok, so I am in this other country once, right? Well, and I am in a CD shop and very few people speak English in the country, but it just so happens that this particular shop has a dude who speaks excellent English and when he sees the CD's that I am searching for (Floyd at the time - go figure), he tells me, "Wait, you gotta hear this one." He then proceeds to play Leonard Cohen's Waiting for the Miracle, which is another one of my fav's. There was a connection there that I will never forget. That dude knew his stuff. Play DJ, play! If you would like a sample of Cohen, try going to leonardcohen and listen to a sample. I don't totally agree with the content of all his lyrics, but I appreciate his attempt to think about the deep things. (Man, how condescending did that sound?) And the wild thing about Cohen - he was born in 1934. Crazy to think that he is that age, but his voice......so so smooth and the dude is still writing. Sing on, brother, sing on. And to my favorite DJ from the other country, Keep Bringing It!

Cheap Ways to Fly?

So, Chris and I have talked about taking some trips this Fall. I need to go home and help my mom with things and Chris and I have also talked about flying to Pennsylvania to see my Grandparents. Chris has never even met them, let alone little Pumpkin. Anyhow, I have been looking at flights and I was curious if you all could comment on your methods of getting cheap flights. Tell me your favorites and perhaps I can get some good deals through your experience.
Thanks

To Stand or Not to Stand

Oh, how cute is this! My pumpkin is crawling now and even decided to try and stand for the first time on his own, so he walked his hands up this box and got his legs out straight, but then cried because apparently, he didn't like the new sensation. I am like that too. I think that I am going to do something new and then something little happens and I get upset. Last week, I worked VBS and then got a stomach virus (YUCK!) along with 4 other teachers and then during my recovery, I pulled a muscle in my back and have been confined to a heating pad. My first thought was that I will never do VBS again. But deep down, I am so sad that I didn't get to finish out with the kids and it was such a great experience. Perhaps, I should go ahead and try "standing" again.

Whoa! I can't keep up!

Well, way too long since my last post. So sorry. My mom was in town with me for a bit and then since Monday, I have been working with Vacation Bible School. And I have to say Whoa!!!! for that. I love it deep down and the kids are sooooo special, but it sure zaps your energy. Not to mention, my poor little guy has to stay in the room right next door, so every time that he screams (which has been alot this week), I can hear him, but I can't get to him, because I will either be washing paint off a little cutie pie's hand or holding a little sweetie pie who is sad and misses his or her mommie. I can't trade in this experience as it certainly is paving the road ahead for my life in giving me ideas about what these little people need and love to do. Thankfully, God has blessed me with a wonderful leader for my class, Stacy. She is a real pro and knows all the kids. She also has tremendous patience and can remain calm when I tend to get nervous (like when one kid decides to sample from all the sippy cups or when another one takes all the toys from the kids and then won't give them back even after being asked nicely). Anyways, I am doing this for the rest of the week, so say a prayer for me that I can plant seeds in these little hearts that they may know our Savior one day and find peace in his love.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was sooooo wonderful. Here, Little boy and I are at the zoo and we had a blast. (If you would like more thoughts on the zoo, please see Da-shad's blog.) Little boy was interested in this gorilla here, but for the most part he was only into his pacifier. My husband a.k.a. Hottie planned a wonderful day for me. He made me a cookie cake which was beautifully decorated and he put pink streamers in our living room with colored balloons to boot. He worked really hard to give me a special day and boy did he succeed. My mother and brother even came over to see me. Thank you to all of you who came and were a part of my day. Special thanks goes out to Semi for my bling bling. A little bling always makes a girl feel special on her birthday.

Learning from a child

My mom has flown in from Florida and is staying with my brother while his wife is away so that she can help with the baby. So, "hottie" and I took Boudreaux over to see them this weekend. Well, my brother and his wife are in a different stage of life than "hottie" and I, so it is so easy to covet what they have. Granted my brother works hard and has never been a materialistic kind of person. He would give away everything he had if someone asked him for it. Often, one doesn't even need to ask for my brother to give them things. He is just like that....more concerned with the people than the stuff. I wish that I were better at that. But also as I see these two children (one is 11 months and the other 8 months) playing with all the toys that we have provided for them, I notice something very interesting. They love to play with plastic measuring spoons and ladels. Now, I realize that all children love to play with spoons and ladels, but why can't I be happy with the spoons and ladels of my life? For the most part, I am happy, but every once in awhile, I see creeping out of me this desire for more than what I have, a better bed, a better bathtub (preferable one that doesn't drip cold water from the ceiling), cuter clothes (a cuter figure to go with the clothes)....yet around the globe, even within miles from my house are people who have sooooo much less than I do. I want to be content with what I have, but even more I want to hold more value on people than possessions. Matt Chandler said similarly last night at The Village Church and I hope to echo his sentiment: We can not grow outside of deeply committed relationships to people, those relationships which are so dear that we give of ourselves and our things to others. Thank you, my brother, for being an example for me to follow in this aspect.