Senor the Golf Dog

Today after church I was totally lazy and enjoyed a day watching the Masters. Something that my dad did every year, not the lazy part, but watching the Masters. He always wanted to go, but now he is with the MASTER, and I am pretty sure it is way better. But today, in memory and honor of my dad, I watched the final day in it's entirety. I watched the moments unfold, like watching "professionals" hitting out of the woods, out of the rough, the deep sand bunkers, from out behind trees and from on top of sticks. I. love. golf. Golf is one sport that keeps a person humble. Dad use to say, if you do bad in golf, you have no one else to blame. True. Tough stuff, but oh so much fun, because I love a challenge.

So here I sit on top of my comfy bed watching professionals under pressure trying to keep their feet on the wet ground when I realized that Mr. Senor Harjo was missing out on the action.

So I invited him up on my nice comfy bed since Darryl isn't here..shhhhhh....don't tell Darryl...but you see Senor Harjo is 12 years old, almost 13 and his eye sight isn't what it used to be and those golf balls are small! Just like a kid to get right in your line of vision. "Hey! Mister....down in front, your big ears are blocking that one corner of my view!" I say.

One of the things I love about Senor Harjo is his ears. Perky. Tall. Alert. It is what makes him CHIHUAHUA. But don't tell him, he thinks he is Mr. Senor Harjo, Head of Household (don't tell Darryl either). Plus those ears landed him the title of President of the Neighborhood Watch Program. He's famous. He gives lessons. He gives autographs.

Senor loves golf too. I think it is because he is so mellow. He probably dreams of running free on the nice shaved grass and marking every flag pole. Hey, a dog can dream right? I think he likes golf because it is a quiet game, no loud bells, whistles or buzzers, just hushes, soft golf claps and soft voices of English commentators saying things like, "he is like a weary old fox". No Senor he isn't speaking of you, lay down and watch. It's Sudden Death! So he lays down and I don't have the heart to tell him his back side is bigger than his ears. Oh well.

EEEEeeekkk! I am soooo excited! Sudden death! Extra holes. Senor Harjo is obviously not excited as I am. They are perfectly matched. I didn't really care who won. I loved the father/son combination of Angel Cabrera, but I also loved the chance to see Adam Scott win the first green jacket for Australia. The country I almost became a citizen of when I did a TDY tour there...another story...a love story.

Truth be told...

Alrighty. I have a big announcement to make. Darryl and I are the proud parents of a brand new young girl.

 

Her name is Saralyn, she is 12 years old from the community Napaod in the Philippines.  Truth be told I have to stop going to Christian concerts or we will be parents of an entire country.  Actually truth be told we don’t adopt to make us feel better, but because God commands us to care for the orphans and widows in their distress. We adopt because Jesus says that to whom much has been given, much will be required.  And finally…adoption is at the heart of God. I am so thankful.

Truth be told, the entire night was a night to remember. My original plan was to go alone, because I didn’t want to drag my two biological children to yet another event they didn’t want to attend. Everyone else I knew would be at Bible Study or Church; but then, I got a text from my big sis asking me if I wanted to go the Three in One tour. YES! Next thing I know I am surrounded by good friends and an 8 year old boy doing an interpretative dance the entire concert and in a Baptist church!

Truth be told, I love to dance and I wanted to join the boy in my own interpretative dance. Actually, I wanted to be the blonde on stage who danced alongside Mandisa. Since she wasn’t singing, I thought I could do that. So far, my dream hasn’t materialized, except for in my front room with the Xbox 360 Just Dance 4 Kinect.

 

Truth be told, my big sis was adding her own lyrics to Brandon Heath’s “The Light in Me” The light, You put the light in me JESUS…You put the light, the light, You put the light in me JESUS… You put the light, the light, You put the light in me JESUS… You put the light, the light, You put the light in me JESUS…but you can’t go wrong adding the name of JESUS to anything.

Truth be told, I was mesmerized by the lady in front of me that had the rhythm to clap her hands on beat and do a pop and lock with her head and shoulders. I wanted to ask her can you teach me that, but I am pretty sure despite being a Christian, she would have given me the look. You know the look you give your kids when you want them to stop or leave you alone.

Truth be told, you are never too old to photo bomb or push your friend to photo bomb. The hand to the left of the lady was the photo bomb bully, but the photo bomb lady was a nice photo bomber as she smiled. I can hear her friend now, "If you don’t photo bomb this picture you are walking home!" Then there is me with what I will call “the under conviction face”. That is because God was telling me to raise my hand and get a card to adopt another child, but I didn’t. It’s an ugly face and place to be, I know.

But after the concert, I did, I got a card with a beautiful young girl and God willing we will meet her one day. Plus, I could not imagine walking around with my face stuck like that forever. And BONUS, we received Mandisa's new CD.

 

Finally, truth be told, after the concert we had dinner at Louie’s and had a great time of catching up. A night to remember for sure.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress…" James 1:27 (NIV)

A Rock and A Leaf

Go outside.

No really, go outside was a portion of the instructions given by our teacher of the day, Lifeway’s Paul Turner. Then while we are outside find something to bring back in that illustrated our relationship right now with God.

A rock and a leaf is what Darryl and I came back in with to illustrate where our lives are at the moment with God. Which one do you think belongs to Darryl and which one belongs to me? And why do you think that?

We had a blast.

We learned a lot.

We made connections.

And we went outside.

And what a beauitful day it was! I LOVED the days at school that our teacher said, "Let's have class outside!" Today, I relived a special memory of my childhood.

Here is a quick run-down of some of those things I learned at the Lifeway Transform Sunday School Training.

First, when we arrive my husband informs me that the paper we received said the session would be interactive. Ugh! I know this may be hard for some of you to believe, but I like my cocoon, because it is MY cocoon, it is safe. Meeting new people can be uncomfortable and a bit intimidating for me, but like I said in my last post, lately God has been putting me in uncomfortable places. Then I thought if this is interactive then it could possibly mean competition and I am competitive. Then I became sad because I wore cute little sandals that are not conducive to the running that I envisioned I was going to have to do for my breathtaking win. Forget the fact that I have a total knee replacement that I should not be running on and especially in cute little slippery sandals, but hey I have to win, or so I think. Then when I saw the rest of the attendees walking in from the handicap spots I knew I had this! I hope you know I am joking.

Although I like MY cocoon, I really enjoyed meeting other like-minded people. All of this joy in meeting and greeting made me think of heaven and how we together will perfectly sing praises to the Lamb of God. The blood of Christ binds us together not just as brothers and sisters but fellow heirs to the coming kingdom that will never end. Eeek!! Excited!!

An opening video posed a question that has been echoing through my mind all day, “What’s the point of being in Christ if nobody sees Him in you?”

Think about that! Why not, just read it again...slowly...“What’s the point of being in Christ if nobody sees Him in you?” Yeah, what’s the point? Uncomfortable, again? Yes, I am. I fail miserably. So thankful for much grace!

We looked at trends; we talked about community and then came the paradigm shift. Another favorite of mine! Shifting from the pious, legalistic model: Behave/Believe/Belong to the virtuous, honorable model that Jesus illustrated of Belong/Believe/Become.  In other words, churches too often expect people to behave first before they believe and then they will belong. This cute little drawing illustrates what Paul Turner was teaching us.

 

Look at Jesus’ model, he brought in 12 different guys, even one that was pro-government and one that was anti-government and He gave them a place to belong. He then begins to teach them truth in a loving way, never judgmental and while Thomas still doubted he belonged. As far as behaving went: the disciples, just like us, are still are learning to do right, we are all still being transformed and here is a church word…sanctified. Another topic we discussed is speaking in terms that ALL can understand, for me, the big church word sanctification is summed up in that God is not finished with me yet, He is still working on me.

There is more, like “assumptions determine conclusions”…chew on that for a while and now back to my first question. Did Darryl or I bring the rock or the leaf to illustrate our current relationship with God and why do you think? Go ahead amuse us!

 

One. Week One. Effective Immediately.

One

1.

Week One…Starting Over. One week ago today I was told I was being reappointed to a new position after 18 years, 3 months of working with very humble, caring and giving group of people who are known by many as servants. Saying good-bye to a program and people that I have grown to love and which I have invested so much in is difficult, especially since it was not by my choice. The news came unexpectedly and of all ways through an email from someone who sat only a few steps down the hall. Reassigned. New Supervisor. New work. Effective Immediately.

I am thankful.

I am, really. I may not agree with the reassignment. I may not agree with how I was informed, but…

I am ready.

At least I think I am ready. If I have learned one thing over the past two years it is God does not want me in places of comfort. When I am comfortable, I tend to forget the God of Comfort. When I am comfortable, I tend to get lazy. When I am comfortable, I get bored and I am boring!

The Lord has been preparing for me for such as times as these and I choose to trust Him. I will not live in the land of uncertainty and what ifs, because my God is a Solid Rock. He does not shift and waver like the ocean, He is faithful and does not change. His covenant is of life and peace. His thoughts toward me are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope. I choose to trust Him.

This first week was not even a full week since I was home sick the first three days with the stomach flu. Ugh, very flattering, I know! I really thought I was going to go meet my Jesus! My blood pressure dropped so low the first “hospital” didn’t want me, then my blood sugar spiked up, they could not find my pulse. I am so glad they did not start pounding on my chest. But thank you Jesus, I am alive! I thought I would never eat again; but my appetite came back like a tsunami. I do believe I am on my way to a full recovery.

The next two days (yesterday and today) was visible proof that I need to learn a lot of new things to be successful in this new job. One thing is MS Excel. I am praying for wisdom to the God who gives liberally and without reproach. I am praying for strength because I am already weary. I am praying for the LORD to show me new things that I do not yet know. I am praying to see the LORD magnified. Week one down.

“Your eyes shall see, And you shall say, ‘The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’” Malachi 1:5

Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1/28-31/13

1.28.13 THROUGH

Through. Legs through the rails while tossing Gatorade down through the rails to a friend....and she catches it!! Thank goodness!

1.29.13 GROW

Grow.Spring storms growing in the January Oklahoma skies. In Oklahoma, we love severe weather.

1.30.13 DOWN

Down. Heading down south (well south and southwest) to Anadarko for a program review site visit in my little bug.

1.31.13 YOURSELF
 

Yourself. See my certificate for completing the government travel credit card training? And....finally Photo A Day/Writing Assignment for January complete. Whew.

Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1-27-13

01.27.13 SUN

Sun. Mister Sun. Sun. Mister Golden Sun. Please shine down on me. Where was the sun today? It was hiding most of the day, at least here in Okie land. I even went outside to look for him.

I know he was there, but he was hiding behind these grey skies. I don't think I have told you but I have a friend who guilted me in to signing up to run in the 5K Color Me Rad. Notice I said guilted me in to signing up to run...doesn't mean I will accomplish the real act of running.

I personally think running should have a purpose, like running to sales on Black Friday - or - running because there is a dog chasing you; but running for fun never crossed my mind. I love this picture because it pretty much sums up how I feel.

Today started week two of the 5K training program I am wondering what was I thinking? I am thinking I should have started at week zero. Then maybe repeat week one two times, before going in to week two. Here I am gasping for air and I am going to be running and people are going to be throwing colored corn starch at me? Plus I am old! Well, I paid so now I have to get ready so I am slowly trying to run. The app on my phone tells me when to run and when to walk. It's like I have my own personal Jillian, except my app is much nicer. It's a good thing, because if I had to try to remember how many times I have ran/walked, I would totally forget because it takes all my brain power just to keep me moving. The goal of the app is to be able to run 30 minutes straight. My goal is not to die doing it.

In case you want to join us, you can join up with us under the team name Isaiah 40:31 at http://www.colormerad.com/races/oklahomacity.html I'd love for you to come "suffer" with me because misery loves company.

I can do the elliptical fine, but running on a new knee is totally different, but I am determined. At the end of the run....Mister Sun still hiding, but I am grateful that when I can't see the sun, I know it is still there. This is my niece Katy. She did the Color Me Rad last year, isn't she colorfully beautiful?

After the run, I went home to get ready to go to church. Each Sunday evening I have the privilege of teaching young girls about purity using the book "And the Bride Wore White" by Dannah Gresh and of course, the Word of God. I am thankful for this time, for the girls who attend and encourage me by their eagerness to learn, their willingness to read, ask questions and participate. The Lord humbles me each time he allows me to speak on purity and on His behalf. Then on the way to church, guess who came out to shine? Mister Sun...peeking behind those clouds.

Sunshine...Shine Son Shine...in and through me.

May we be found faithful, giving glory to God in all that we do.

The sun will come up tomorrow...and one day.... "the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." - Rev 21:23...One day!

January Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1-26-13

01.26.13 TOGETHER

Together. So happy together.What an easy word for the day and a perfect day for togetherness. The first event was a visit for Senor Harjo from Malachi. To get the full effect of this heart warming new friendship you have to see the picture.

See, you can see the excitement Senor Harjo had a visitor, I am pretty sure Senor Harjo grew about 5 inches, I know you can't tell from this angle on the photo but I am pretty sure he was almost a foot tall!

The second event of togetherness was a bitter sweet saying of "so long, see ya soon, we're praying for you" to a neighborhood friend that we've grown to love over the past eight years. We were first introduced to Reginald "RJ" Orr when we first moved to this neighborhood and Darya came home  announced to us that she had made a new friend and his name was"Original". He is moving to Houston and stopped by to say good bye. What a great kid, his positive spirit and smile will be missed. We are praying for you RJ, find you a good youth group to get plugged in to and remember, "Houston...we have a problem."

The third and final event of togetherness of the day was the celebration of Jenn's 30th Birthday. This is Jenn. She is wearing glasses with a big 30 on them. I know you wouldn't have figured that out unless I told you. She is one of the sweetest people I know and would do anything for anyone. She is just that type of person and has a really BIG heart!

This is her hubby Servando.

He is....well let's say....this next picture describes him...

I know what you are thinking, "that's mean".... no it's not. I didn't mean "Oh No He Big" I meant "Oh No He Big to Jennifer" See, now don't you feel bad? This picture definitely speaks of "togetherness". When you can have Arkansas, Texas and OU fans at one table and can still smile...usually means it's time to eat!

Because Craig is always so thoughtful to let me get in a pic too, you get to see one more group photo. Basically the same one, except I am sitting by my hubby and Isabelle is sticking her tongue out at the photo. Lovely I know. You can tell she loves to take photos.

 

Then it was time to flame the candles and load up on sugar.

But not until Jenn opened her gifts. She got some jewelry, a cross, a cupcake candle, some smell good and a gift card to a tattoo parlor. Not really on that last one. I don't want to be responsible for spreading rumors, but it sounded fun.

Meet Nat. Nat thought it would be cool to shave at the table. Not really. Nat was playing "Game Time" announcer with this monster microphone...let's get ready to rumble!!

Up first on the Speed of Light is Yamarie and Amy, they were popping and locking - knocking down those lights as the lit up and at lightening speed!

It was anyone's game...but Yamarie pulled out to a big lead and even drew a crowd of fans! Amazing. They truly are!

The next game took a lot of effort, in that you had to push one button! I know it was a difficult task but Servando managed to win a lot of tickets off this one game. He is coo-coo like that.

Then it was time for a four-way game of air hockey. The Arkansas folk (Ivan and Ariel) beat the Texas folk and it was ultimately Ariel that was crowned Air Hockey Queen!

Go big or go home! Darryl and Servando played this ginormous Connect 4 game.

Thumbs up for an overall successful afternoon. We all gave Servando our tickets because he really wanted the big Chuck E Cheese stuffed animal, then we told him we weren't at Chuck E Cheese but at Dave & Busters, then he begin to weep. Well, not really, but he couldn't get over how small this Dave & Busters was compared to Texas.

Then reality hit....it was time to go home and be parents again.

It was our first time to Dave & Busters. We're done...we are officially corrupted. I really feel bad about it. I do. So we ended the night with the bond of friendship. Togetherness. Well, except I am not sure what happened to Ivan and Ariel, they like disappeared. Could it be that a day out in the arcade pushed them back to their college days when they first met? Thanks Jen for inviting us to your birthday party to celebrate THIRTY years of life, we love you!