Because Denea and I work nights we are often wanting to sleep in the afternoons till 3 or 4 or even 5 before going to work again the next night. But as we all know school gets out at 3, and kids don't even go to school on weekends. So anytime after 3 or on weekends is prime play time for them. Because many of them come knocking to play, and are very persistent about knocking, we've tried to set some limits, and even with consequences. We put a little sign on the door knob that says "Please Do Not Knock" and let them know that if they knock while that sign is up, they are grounded and we aren't going to play with them that day or for a week. And even if the sign is down we may have forgotten it, so don't knock more than once.
Last week a new set of kids who live 6-8 blocks down decided to venture over. So we had to initiate them into the rules. But these are sneakier than most kids. So the first time they woke us up, i'm pretty sure they had seen the sign and taken it off, as if, if it wasn't on the door when we woke up, we wouldn't be sleeping and we'd want to play. Just like little kids who think in a game of hide-n-seek if they cover their eyes they can't be found. Even as grouchy as I am being woken up in the middle of "the night", They are so cute...
Perhaps thats part of the reason God says 'unless you come to me like one of these children, you have no part of me'. Kids have no concern for such notions of unwelcomeness from those whom they trust to love them.
(Note: we found the sign lying on the ground with dirty shoe prints on it)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
a real RN
Well good news, I am enjoying my job. After a few weeks of attitude adjustment, and beginning to accept finally, the place God has me in right now working in the hospital.. I found myself not only tolerating my work better, but actually enjoying what I do. (there have been many moments before of enjoying/appreciating my job, but this is the first time I enjoyed the whole thing)
I actually ENJOYED being a nurse the last week!
who knew.
I actually ENJOYED being a nurse the last week!
who knew.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
neighbor friends
This is an old pic of some neighborhood friends. Denea and I took Desiree and Raylan out to eat pizza tonight. They are the best behaving brother and sister I have ever known. They are hilarious to be around, just being themselves. Destinee is the other kid in the picture, she moved away from this apt. but is still Desiree's best friend. She was a very grown up acting little 6 year old.
James and I
Can you guess what we are doing? I'll give you a hint, my whole family is in the room, so we of course aren't intentionally making fools of ourselves.
Kyle put us up to it
We were trying to catch Kyle's flying grapes from across the room. I know you'd be surprised to find out that we were unsuccessful except in getting hit in the face several times.
take up my cross?
Ok so I am going to have to get better at this if I am going to use this as my main communication tool huh?
This is an excerpt from "God Calling" A book of words from God as given to two unnamed listeners. Editted by A.J. Russell I highly recommend it. this is from the March 15th entry: "Remember, you are only an instrument. Not yours to decide how or when or where you act. I plan all that....Mine is the Cross on which the burdens of the world are laid. How foolish is any one of My disciples who seeks to bear his own burdens, when there is only one place for them- My Cross.
It is like a wary man on a hot and dusty road, bearing a heavy load, when all plans have been for its carriage. The road, the scenery, flowers, beauty around -- all are lost.
But, My children, you may think I did say, "Take up your cross daily, and follow Me."
Yes, but the cross given to each one of you is only a cross provided on which you can crucify the self of your that hinders progress and Joy, and prevents the flow through your being of my invigorating Life and Spirit.
Listen to Me, love Me, joy in Me. Rejoice."
This was good and bad news to me as I am learning to crucify self. This message of taking up your cross daily... A dear friend of mine, James, began teaching me about that over 8 years ago, and I am finally starting to get it.
This is an excerpt from "God Calling" A book of words from God as given to two unnamed listeners. Editted by A.J. Russell I highly recommend it. this is from the March 15th entry: "Remember, you are only an instrument. Not yours to decide how or when or where you act. I plan all that....Mine is the Cross on which the burdens of the world are laid. How foolish is any one of My disciples who seeks to bear his own burdens, when there is only one place for them- My Cross.
It is like a wary man on a hot and dusty road, bearing a heavy load, when all plans have been for its carriage. The road, the scenery, flowers, beauty around -- all are lost.
But, My children, you may think I did say, "Take up your cross daily, and follow Me."
Yes, but the cross given to each one of you is only a cross provided on which you can crucify the self of your that hinders progress and Joy, and prevents the flow through your being of my invigorating Life and Spirit.
Listen to Me, love Me, joy in Me. Rejoice."
This was good and bad news to me as I am learning to crucify self. This message of taking up your cross daily... A dear friend of mine, James, began teaching me about that over 8 years ago, and I am finally starting to get it.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
flying by faith
I was listening to some tape from Bill Johnson with some friends yesterday, and learned something new about what it means to walk by faith. One of the new ideas I heard were: Jesus didn't preach in parables just to be illustrations, but to hide the mysteries of the kingdom of God from those who would not believe so that he could reveal them to those who search and believe.
God is still revealing his kingdom to those who are hungry for more. He delights in mystery because he delights in revealing his truth. He wants us to want him, and to want more of him. He wants me to trust him, even when I dont understand, He wants me to walk in obedience to what he has revealed and in that he will continue to reveal himself. But he wants me to trust him before I see the whole picture. And as I walk in obedience in faith, he reveals himself. Tonight I woke up with Hebrews 11:6 in my mind, "but without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him"
Example for me: I have to keep working at the hospital and if I do it in faith that God is working even though i don't get it, I'll enjoy it. (which I have been the last few days) Or if i continue to obey begrudgingly as if God better change something or show me something quick, then I'll hate it as I have.
I am practicing discipline now by starting to work out at a gym. Those of you who know me, know this is really quite a stretch. While you may find me playing tennis on any one of the top 20 best weather days of the year, you will probably never find me working out consistently, because i usually simply don't feel like it and thats good enough reason for me not to go. Anyway so this is a new test for myself. So yesterday I was walking on their walking track, its on the roof of the sixth floor, and I saw a little sparrow type bird. The others were flying/hopping around not sitting still at all, but this one caught my attention, and i made up my mind to keep watching it until it moved. What would make it move? I did not know, and I still don't know. But suddenly it plunged off the side as if it were sky diving, like a fat little rock it looked, wings tucked in, just dove, and plummeted down past my site.
It suddenly occured to me that birds are very brave!
But they are as I assume all of creation is except us, very good at being obedient, they have no problem at all being who God created them to be, and doing exactly what he has them to do, and being content under his authority. This little dive bombing bird is a very good example to me, and for the glory of God. Although I am not yet sure what that sort of trust and obedience will look like for my life. (because i did not feel led to jump off the roof of the 6th story.)
God is still revealing his kingdom to those who are hungry for more. He delights in mystery because he delights in revealing his truth. He wants us to want him, and to want more of him. He wants me to trust him, even when I dont understand, He wants me to walk in obedience to what he has revealed and in that he will continue to reveal himself. But he wants me to trust him before I see the whole picture. And as I walk in obedience in faith, he reveals himself. Tonight I woke up with Hebrews 11:6 in my mind, "but without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him"
Example for me: I have to keep working at the hospital and if I do it in faith that God is working even though i don't get it, I'll enjoy it. (which I have been the last few days) Or if i continue to obey begrudgingly as if God better change something or show me something quick, then I'll hate it as I have.
I am practicing discipline now by starting to work out at a gym. Those of you who know me, know this is really quite a stretch. While you may find me playing tennis on any one of the top 20 best weather days of the year, you will probably never find me working out consistently, because i usually simply don't feel like it and thats good enough reason for me not to go. Anyway so this is a new test for myself. So yesterday I was walking on their walking track, its on the roof of the sixth floor, and I saw a little sparrow type bird. The others were flying/hopping around not sitting still at all, but this one caught my attention, and i made up my mind to keep watching it until it moved. What would make it move? I did not know, and I still don't know. But suddenly it plunged off the side as if it were sky diving, like a fat little rock it looked, wings tucked in, just dove, and plummeted down past my site.
It suddenly occured to me that birds are very brave!
But they are as I assume all of creation is except us, very good at being obedient, they have no problem at all being who God created them to be, and doing exactly what he has them to do, and being content under his authority. This little dive bombing bird is a very good example to me, and for the glory of God. Although I am not yet sure what that sort of trust and obedience will look like for my life. (because i did not feel led to jump off the roof of the 6th story.)
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