Laughter + Daughter Home Visiting = Music

I picked Megan up from the airport this afternoon.

(Her flight was even 25 minutes EARLY! And! Gas was only $2.11! Will wonders never cease?)

She came home to see the musical at the high school. Right now she is in the family room with a high school friend and catching up on all the drama.

I am so loving listening to the music of her laughter drifting through the house.

Sure have missed that.

Over-Flowing Wednesday

I had lunch yesterday with a friend I don't get to see often enough. Our lunch ended up being 4 hours long. We had a lot to talk about. Barb demonstrated to me such great love. She shared wisdom from her experiences and challenged me. How great to be able to benefit from her experience as someone who has gone before me. I pray I will be able to do the same for others.

On the way home from lunch I got to talk with another of those don't get to see often enough great friends. We caught up on news. (She always has fun news about her grandbabies.) Then as I was able to share some of the struggles I have had (and how her daughters have encouraged me) she spoke truth of encouragement to me. She has told me this list of things to be thankful for despite my frustration many times before, but each time she does, I see the truth and embrace them. Yesterday I thanked God for the reminder.

We ended the day with our small group Bible study. Oh how I love this group of people. We are so diverse. From a 19 year old new Christian, to a newly married couple (she is a new Christian), to a couple we prayed for two years to come to our small group, to a few of us who grew up in the church. Tonight as we spent more than a half an hour sharing prayer requests, I was struck with the bond/love we all have for each other.

I love the body of Christ.

God is good. These two verses came to mind as I reflected on the day:

John 1:16
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

I Have A Pet Peeve

I am not a fan of public bathrooms. I have been known to come home to use my own bathroom even though I am still in the middle of running errands around town. Don't even get me started on the stalls that are so small that I have to about crawl to the other side of the toilet to get the door shut. HATE that! Another thing that bugs me even more is where the toilet paper dispenser is mounted. Like this one:
It is so low that you practically have to kneel on the floor to get anything out.

Same as this one:

Here is an example of a properly mounted toilet paper dispenser:

(And yes, I did get my camera out to take theses in a public restroom, but I made sure there wasn't anyone else in the bathroom. It would be weird to see a flash coming from the stall next to you, wouldn't it?)

This arrangement of toilet paper is what inspired this whole post:

I do believe that is the most ingenious way to have lots of toilet paper dispensed. Hats off to the people at Shakepeare's Pizza. I think I counted 14 rolls. Awesome.

So after all that ranting (and yes, I feel better) I leave you with this:

Details? Ewww

I saw this picture on a website for a discount store. Is it just me, or does this lady's eyebrow need a little grooming? And does no one know how to edit pictures? I'm just saying.
Ewww!

I Do Like These List Things

Got this one from Life at 7000 Feet

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? Oooo. Good Carole King song. Wait, I don't think that's what this is asking. Uh-em... My favorite season is definitely Spring. I love seeing everything come back to life. After living 80 miles north of the equator for three years and no changes in the seasons, I came to realize that I do like the changes of seasons.

Who is your favorite Disney princess? Belle. My daughter's best friend played her in their high school musical last fall.

What's the last book you read? The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson. I thought this was a stand alone novel, but it turns out to be first of a series of seven. Grr. The rest are already on my Christmas list

What book are you reading right now? I Second That Emotion: Untangling Our Zany Feelings by Patsy Clairmont

Name one "presidential" memory (an election you remember as a child, voting for the first time, etc.) The first presidential election I remember is Nixon vs. Humphrey. I remember talking about it during our Brownies meetings.

What are 3 things that scare you/freak you out?
1. Winding, mountain hugging roads
2. Snakes or any reptiles
3. A spider on the dashboard when I'm driving 70 mph down the interstate

If you were running for office, what would your campaign slogan be? The bigger question is WHY would I run for office. I hate politics.

What is your favorite football team? None. Hate football. But I will cheer for my Alma Mater, Iowa State University. (and for my kids' school Kansas University)

How are they doing this season? Ummm... I'm supposed to know this? Well I do know Iowa State isn't doing too hot. That's all I know.

Do you have anything particular that you're looking forward to this Fall? Yep. We are going to a family reunion over Thanksgiving. It will involve many family members that are rarely seen. There are two cousins on that side of the family that I have never met and I hope to meet one of them. (The other one lives in South America and she's not making the trip.)

Are you craving anything right now? Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies. Darn. I should have made those for Bible study tonight instead of the lemon/zucchini pound cake that's in the oven right now. I should make those cookies for next week.

What's the last thing that really made you laugh out loud? My son. I so love hanging out with him and being goofy. I can be goofy with him like no one else. (Love you buddy!)

Can You Guess Who Was Home?

Check out the stack of piano books on the floor! Can you guess who was home last weekend? Megan! (and Caleb & Amanda) It was great to hear Megan playing the piano again. I have missed that.

It was a fun weekend. Complete with a big shopping trip to the Biggest Mall In The Country. We also got to meet our former pastor and his wife (and our dear friends) for supper after the shopping excursion.

LOVED having them all home!

Don't Let My Spirit Sleep

Sometimes I pretty much suck at being able to express myself without hurting whoever I am speaking to. The prayer of my heart is for God to give me the words to speak. Forgive me, God when I don't wait for Your words.

This song by Aaron Shust says it perfectly.



Please forgive me Megan for being hurtful. I love you.