Assorted Thoughts

For the past five years, I have taken a personal retreat in the fall, and last week I went away for a few days. Here are some random thoughts from this time:
· Why do even the smallest towns have a Chinese restaurant? I grew up in a small town, and I remember when a Chinese restaurant came to town. It was viewed with much suspicion in rural southeast Arkansas.
· I saw a sign that said “alpacas for sale.” Has anyone ever spontaneously purchased an alpaca?
· I overheard a man say that the best Greek food he had ever eaten had been in Salt Lake City. Seriously?
· Sitting in the sun, reading a good book, and listening to fiddle music is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
· I would like to live in small town again at some point in my life, but I have become used to stores staying open past 5 p.m.
· Maybe when I retire I will live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Maybe then I won’t need anything after 5 p.m.
· I need a bumper sticker that says “tailgating will not make me drive any faster.”
· Who were the people at the next table who kept saying “charismatic Baptists” very loudly?

At the end of my time away, I attended the first Together For Adoption conference. So good. I’ll write more on that later.

Nostalgia

A Crossett friend sent me this photo. I'm the one in the middle in yellow, age 4. It wasn't officially kindergarten, more like a Mothers Day Out, I think.

Bloggin'

Keeping up a blog is hard work. I can't always think of anything interesting to say. Sometimes, I can think of things, but they aren't thoughts or observations I want to share with the world.

• I am listening to "Come Weary Saints" from Sovereign Grace Music. Very good. I recommend it.
• My parents visited last week, and we did a huge amount of yardwork and house maintenance. My mother is very good at planting and planning while my father can fix anything.
• We ate at a great restaurant - Croaker's Spot. Interesting conversation with the owner about politics and religion. The owner's father was a famous singer in the 1950s and 1960s. He was impressed that my father knew who he was.
• Half-marathon training is going well. We did eight miles this past Saturday, and the goal is nine for this Saturday. So, I've done a quarter-marathon already.

Assalam Alaikum

A friend of mine made a Central Asian feast this weekend - plenty of fruit, nuts, pilau, naan, and soup. Delicious! We also celebrated two birthdays. Good times.

Into the Woods

I spent the weekend camping with friends at a nearby state park. We had a great time - lots of conversation, food, naps, books, food, naps, games, food, and naps. Being outside, listening to crickets chirp, wind blow, knowing that one's main decision is choosing cool ranch chips or bbq ones is a lovely way to spend a couple of days!
(I can't get photos loaded, so those will come later. If we are facebook friends, you can see some photos on there.)

Back from Chile

Thanks for remembering me and our team to the Father! We returned from Chile on Sunday, May 25, after a great trip. More about that soon. Your support and encouragement has been much appreciated!

I'm making cookies for "Songs and Sweets," an ESL program. Since it's run by Baptists, we had cookies.

Continue to pray for the people of Santiago!

Santiago

I am leading a trip to Santiago, Chile, Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 25. Our blog is chicasservinginchile.blogspot.com. Thanks for remembering us to the Father!

Run Bonnie Run

13 miles.
That’s how far a half-marathon is.
That’s how far I will run/walk on Nov 15!
I signed up for a half-marathon. This is a goal that can be achieved only by the grace of the Lord. I am signing up for training sessions with a local organization that will guide me in twice-weekly runs and provide an exercise plan.
Signing up for such an event is certainly uncharacteristic behavior for me. It’s quite a personal challenge. I will be 35 in November, and I thought this would be a good way to mark that. Maybe when I am 70 I will do a full marathon.

Listening

I have been enjoying Before the Throne from Sojourn Music (http://sojournmusic.com). It is a pleasing mix of styles, all pleasant and fresh. I especially like “I’m coming back,” “Evergreen,” and “Come and sing.”
It is available on iTunes, or you can buy the cd on their website.
What music are you enjoying these days?

Living well

Tonight I talked with several women in their 70s and 80s. One woman talked about how she had always wanted to read the Bible through, and now that she was 84, she thought she should get started. Another talked about how much she was looking forward to reading a particular book that I have wanted to read. Another spoke of how the Lord led her to join our fellowship; one reason she likes it is because our pastor has a global heart.

I want to be like these women if I make it to my 70s and 80s. They are interested in learning more about God and studying His Word, caught up on world events, and involved in various local ministries. I want to be able to look back at a life well spent.

Psalm 90

A rose by any other name

My Lady Banks roses are blooming again this year. This is certainly not due to any skill of the gardener! I enjoy being out in the yard, experimenting with various plants and shrubs. Although I cannot smell, I am told that the blooms give off a lovely aroma.

Nephews!

I have two sweet nephews - Matthew, 3, and Michael, 17 months. They are so much fun and so very funny.

Glimpses

The other day I went to the post office to mail a package. I was mailing it to Thailand, so I had to fill out the usual form. While doing that, a man came up in line behind me, so I kindly told him he was welcome to go on in front of me, which he did. As I finished up my form, another man came in. He edged around me and seemed to be planning to go around me as well. I was finished with my form by that point, and I thought, “I hope this man doesn’t think he can cut the line. I am next.”
As I recited my rights to myself, the Lord brought conviction. I was willing to let someone else have preference over me when it was not inconvenient for me, but when I was ready to have my turn, I was not kind. The desire to assert my rights was stronger than my willingness to be a servant.
My heart is so often turned inward, seeking my own comfort and purpose, rather than looking around to see where I could serve. God’s Word is full of reminders of how believers are to be servants, to follow Jesus’ example of serving.
Glimpses into the selfishness of my heart are discouraging, but it is so good to remember that God does that out of His love and kindness!

Blogging

I have decided to enter the world of blogging.