Oddity #2

Lanes are optional. Strangely, this is effective.

Oddity #1

They sweep rugs here. This method is ineffective.

See My Pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/abundantblessing/

Blessed be the Name

I have always loved the song called "Blessed be the Name." I heard it during some key experiences. But we sang it last night and it suddenly had new meaning. Below are the lyrics. Read it thinking literally, not figuratively. The desert place and where the sun is shining are kind of the same place. Not having really experienced the extraordinarily sunny desert until now, that connection has been made clear to me. And yes, God is in the bright desert and his name is blessed.

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Great Things He Hath Done

Some days are more learning days than others. Today, was one of those. I was reminded that God is doing a great and mighty work here, through what He has asked me to do. People may look at my life and marvel at the faith I have. I am willing to go half way around the world if God asks me, and He has. And yet, I still struggle, even knowing this is what He asks, if He is willing to get me there or keep me there. The lack of provision is the issue, the doubt, the fear. Why am I so afraid? I have seen God provide hundreds of times throughout my life. Why do I now doubt? And God proves himself to me in my doubt as I receive the hard earned scrimped and saved money of one of my former students, as my sixth grade teacher blesses me from her meager earnings, as a family I knew many years ago suddenly contacts me out of the blue, as the mother of my father’s dead childhood friend gives to me in his honor, as a family new to my church enthusiastically showers me with kindness and generosity, as a single mother scrapes up monthly the last coins in her purse, as my friend gifts me on her wedding day, as a college girl who barely knows me and who is saving for tuition promises her support, as teachers and friends surround me with what little extra they have and are the hilarious and cheerful givers that God loves. Why do I doubt? How can this be? It ought not be so! Forgive my unbelief! And we wonder why when the Jews saw the miracles of Jesus they did not fall as his feet and cry out in wonder and belief. He did not do what they wanted. And yet the miracles were still there. Even so, for us all, the miracles are there, and just because it isn’t what we want or what we expected, we think it doesn’t matter. But it does matter just in the way that Jesus’ miracles mattered. They proclaim His glory and His person. Do not let us forget to praise Him and believe Him—Great things He hath done.

O Happy Day!

So, after my recent tirades about less than gentlemanly guys, I have to tell of what happened the last couple of days. It was a great day. After spending Friday decorating, arranging flowers, and singing hymns, as well as numerous other details, Saturday morning dawned to a crepe breakfast. Then, progressing into late morning, foot soaks and nail polish were brought out, and I enjoyed pampering my dear friend Marian, the bride. After a good lunch and an hour nap while Marian went to get her hair done and have lunch with her recently married and truly amazing sister. Two-thirty in the afternoon and curling irons, hairspray, bobby-pins, and pearls were all pulled out and spread among girls. By four thirty we wer all standing out in a fantastically beautiful public garden, rotating in the sun until we were able to move to the shade. Then, faces aching with truly happy smiles, we stood in lines, in pairs, and in groups to be photographed. Rushing back to the church at six thirty, we scarfed food prepared by another lady from church, and then praying (during which I nearly cried), we lined up to walk out, one by one. As Marian's father gave his youngest daughter away, he looked like he was going to cry. Once again, I felt the lump rise in my throat and my eyes filled with tears. I did not allow them to spill over. Marian sang "Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine" with her whole heart. Her vows were beautiful and the guy is truly wonderful. They balance each other so well. He is attentive, hard working, and a great leader. He has a heart for God, and he loves my friend so much. I loved seeing him watch her every time they were around each other. During her photos, he stood and watched her with a smile on his face that was truly a blessing to see. So, some stories do have happy endings.

Again, Life is Never Dull

I don't know what it is about hanging out with my old roomie N. She and I always have the strangest experiences. Tonight as we were standing near our cars and chatting downtown we had an encounter with some most likely drunk fellows. They yelled from across the street something along the lines of "You ladies having a cat fight, do you wanna hang out with some bar dogs tonight?" Fortunately they were far enough away and drunk enough not to hear our response which was again laughter due to shock. I actually had to sit down on the concrete. Things like this I would say are a rare thing except this is the second time in a couple of weeks. My friend N. is very stunning, but they were so far away. I have no respect for guys who are willing to take any girl, any where, any time. Even if they think she is pretty, that is no indication of whether she has any worth in any other category. I am afraid that the last several months have given me some pretty weak views of guys as a whole. They play with my friends' hearts, they stir up divisions, they are as waves tossed upon the shore... I have remained safe but nearly every girl I know has been hurt by a guy recently. I knowI ought not generalize about guys; it isn't fair. But sometimes that is the way it is.

A Wierd Way to Have Fun

I had a great time playing with this this neat website which I stole from Jolly Company's blog. Although the faces that came up for me varied wide and far, pretty and strange, famous and not-so-famous, old and young. Only two names came up more than once in a variety of pictures of myself. My conclusion was that I must not look like any celebrities because I didn't look much like any of the people that they thought I must look like. Shiri Appleby and Rachel Bilson were two of the highest ranking. It was amazing that I could resemble over twenty-five women and that none of them look like me at all, especially since I am a blonde. There were also several men whom I also do not resemble at all that were in the list, including Prince Harry of England. Astonishing. But still terribly amusing.

Life in Bridesmaidville...

Today I went shopping. It has been the third time I have been shopping this week, every time for necessities for my upcoming trip or the wedding I will be in this Saturday. I really dislike shopping, it is so exhausting and very little is accomplished. But I suppose that the trips have not really been in vain. I was able to get all the needed items. And the bride (my friend) will be getting some pampering from a couple of us girls.

It is so hard and yet so wonderful that my dear friend is getting married in a matter of days. She and I were inseparable from sixth grade all through till graduation. And she still was (and is) one of the first people I would tell when anything happened in my life. And now she will spend the rest of her life with this guy who, although I am sure he is wonderful, is almost completely unknown to me. Perhaps all my childhood fears of her finding a friend she likes more than me has finally been realized. Although these thoughts are there, I really am so very happy for her. Everything I have learned about the guy just seems perfect for her. God knows what he is doing.

On Fear, Of Which God Has Blessed Me With Very Little of At the Moment

I never have thought of myself as one of those with a penchant for fear. As a child I never remember feeling terrified from bad dreams, although I had them. Somehow I never woke with fear, only sadness sometimes. I was never afraid of people coming after me or of monsters under the bed. All this being said, I have always been one of the most cautious people I know. I never wanted to try anything dangerous and rarely stuck myself in positions of public view. I was generally shy, although I would speak when spoken to. I usually was the one to caution people when they were in the path to get themselves hurt. I don't ever remember thinking it was fear, but more like rationality. And now, as I venture to do something that most people I talk to say that they would be terrified to do, I wonder. I am not afraid in any way. The knowledge of the struggles I will face does cause some preparation on my part. I know that although not a fearful person, I am not brave. And thus I attribute my current peace to the strength of God.


We wake in the early dark and find ourselves the targets of many fiery darts of fear. We may think we are on guard, and suddenly a dart comes at us from an unexpected angle. We can't cover all the possibilities. We dodge and duck, but some of the fears get to us--unless we take refuge in the Lord. The psalmist calls Him "my encircling shield, my glory." No need to stare into the darkness, allowing our imaginations to torment us with the "what ifs"--"Now I can lie down and go to sleep and then awake, for the Lord has hold of me" (Ps 3:3,5 JB). [Elisabeth Eliot]