Rule of Life

Rule of Life. I hear this come out of Olivia's mouth over and over again- Olivia as in Olivia the hyper active piglet who test her mother and Mrs. Hogenmoller {teacher} patience.

Olivia's one liner comes either at the beginning or end of each show: Rule of Life #......

One rainy morning before I bravely headed out to grocery shop, I hear those words ringing in the background.....Apple Cheeks is watching....... Rule of Life #55..... ugh!!!

As I quickly make an exit to my car I couldn't help but hear Olivia..... her irritating little squealing pig voice...... rule of life.... rule of life.... rule of life!!!!

* * * * * * * *

The week is in full tilt. Wednesday evenings Football Superstar and I go to a prayer class hosted by our church. I must say I was apprehensive in the beginning- I felt prayer was private- only for me- only between God and myself- why would I want to share my prayers with others(?). complete strangers?

I'm learning there are a bazillion sorry ways to pray. I won't get in to the why's, how's, when and should we pray...... but something hit me this past Wednesday as I admitted to Esther our instructor/prayer leader that I did not do my homework! As we begin session #3- Model for Prayer- part 2, I'm listening to Esther yet I hear Olivia in the background. Yes, the pig.

Rules. Rules to live by. Ruling. Our Ruler.

To declare who God is. Jehovah-Rohi. Jehovah-Shalom. Jehovah-Shammah.

We are told to think on the implications of these names and you'll have plenty to praise God for! and there are more

I lived under certain "rules of life" for a very long time in my early Christian years. As a Roman Catholic I thought only our patron saints- the holy saints could pray successfully. Our rulers in the church had the monopoly on praying.

Rulers. Rule of Life.

God talked with man. I can talk with God.

God was in the garden with man. God is everywhere with me.

So why wouldn't we be able to talk with God? Anytime- anywhere?

To be real. To be ourselves. He already knows us.... so why not be revealing-- honest.

Prayer has some true power. I've learned recently

The Incredible POWER of Prayer.

"Prayer changes things....... and US!"

Ronald Dunn

Rule of Life #1. pray

Meet Megan

Today I wanted to play catch up on here. I wanted to grab my journal and tell the world about my wonderful news. the position I've been waiting for!

As I was checking my facebook status last evening I noticed a message on my wall from a high school classmate- Megan Pierce-Sheibner. It sparked my interest because of the message she posted- along with the youtube video. Again...my excitement was difficult to cap.... but I watched the video.

Megan and I were in a few classes together- not many. Geez, I'm getting too old to really remember who was in my high school class! We were in band front marching in skimpy Trojan attire with Peter Pan hats. We did our routine with fake ridiculous swords. As any Trojan would. Sorry Megan!

Sadly, I never really knew Megan.

Graduation- lives go in different directions. Years pass.

Then facebook comes into the lives of many. We are friends again. Thanks to facebook.

Megan is probably the only Boston Red Sox fan that I like.

Megan- this woman who I now know as a christian, wife, mother, educator, friend of many.

I felt my world stop while watching the video she posted on my wall.

That is Megan's husband! This was their life!

Tears. Sadness. Selfish relief.

I wanted to reach out through my computer and embrace Megan and Steve.

I learned a lesson while listening and watching their video.

This morning I had Football Superstar watch. He had no words. I could see emotion in his eyes. How fortunate we are each day. Each moment of our life is a gift from God.

Our God is so amazing. And God's purpose. What about that?

Thank you Megan for sharing your story...... for bringing your family into my home. Into our lives.

PS.....this does not change my mind how I feel about the Red Sox! giggling.

Peace&Love

I would like to encourage everyone to link onto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLj4akmncsA&feature=share

Steve and Megan Scheibner Characterhealth.com

ReGifted

Have I ever regifted? yes

Much thought goes into purchasing gifts. No matter the occasion.... the gift can be a difficult decision. Depends on the person and the occasion.... my passion or thought process usually determines who gets what. Or what gets who. Oh, I've given Regift some passionate thought!

Does God ReGift?

I have been under a pressure cooker with my job. I'm about to explode....but there are these gentle- yet firm hands on my shoulders telling me to stay calm...don't go back there....be the leader....do not put these issues on your priority list....who gets what gift is on his priority list -> His method of keeping me focused<

My gift from God is always a regifted one. He gives me what I need every day of the week.

And my thankless days are building. I know it. I see it. And I feel it. But I lack the discipline that I need to thank Him daily.....giving back the gift.

Just when I think I have it in me to not stumble and fall..... I do. Just when I think I'm willing and able to walk away from temptation....I can't. People will drag and pull you into the vortex and without a safety harness it's almost impossible to free yourself.

I'm tempted by idol chatter in the work place. I find myself wanting to "correct" these women who are chattering.... then I find myself listening....falling. I am angered by feeling "taken advantage of". At times I listen and watch as if I'm an innocent child being given a gift beyond gifts. And I know better than this! I hear this voice talk to me every time these "events" take place. I know not to listen or to respond. And if I do the voice immediately shouts "why"!

I've tried to regift what God has given me to my coworkers. Gently. Unannounced. Are they accepting the gift? No...and that is okay. But I know they see me pulling away. They can not place their red ink pens on what is happening with this teacher who smiles and places herself in the back row, not the jury nor the judge.

Regifting at the work place is very hard to do...it's a challenge. But I'm called to do so.

For the time I remain at the academy I will place passionate thought behind each and every gift I hand out. Prayers...this will be very hard.

The Gift of Grace.

Peace&Love

A Room with a View

I've been missing out on my favorite blogs......

Been busy. I have a lot of nerve saying that....who hasn't been busy!!

This is my week of vacation time.

Today, I'm sitting by our sliding glass door that exits to our balcony. It's a tad warm no make that hot to be sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and typing. However, I have a room with a view!

My cat, September~ has decided to join me and watch a red throat hummingbird drink from the fresh batch of home made nectar Apple Cheeks and I made yesterday after breakfast.

A pair of chicka-dee's continue to stop by- to see if just maybe the bright red bird feeder that contains liquid- may have been changed to solid seeds. Nope...sorry birdies...I'll stick with the hummingbirds. You need to go over to the next complex there is a woman who is so kind she feeds song birds of every color and size. I'm glad I am not her neighbor- bird phobia!

My view this morning also captures a line trees and in the far far distance I think I can see the Potomac mountain area. It's so hazy .... but I'm sure that is what I'm looking at. In the winter when the trees are not full we can see clearly across the VA- MD boarder.

It's so cool to sit here typing with the bright sunshine pouring into our home.

I feel like this is a vacation home.....

Well, now all I can see is a face with fur. September decided to walk onto my lap and investigate the keyboard. Her hint. It's time for some full attention before everyone else wakes up and smells the short bread baking. Ahhh..... life is good.

I must catch up before the end of my vacation..... I have so many awesome blogs to read and friends to connect with!

Until then..... I hope everyone is enjoying their summer..... vacations..... down time....... and view.

Peace&Love

Stop Hunger Now

More than 25,000 people outside of the United States die each day from hunger and hunger-related causes.

A child dies every 15 seconds because they are severely underweight or lack essential nutrients.

China Doll and I became a part of Stop Hunger Now. This vision is part of our church. CFC in Ashburn used both services as a part of this process. CFC is like a lot of contemporary churches today, we see plenty of casual wear. But today was completely different. We arrived in jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sneakers.... the most comfortable attire to prepare meals to be sent to Nicaragua. Our outreach team is already in Nicaragua working. As the congregation gathered in two separate parts of church today- some were guided into the Gathering Place coffee cafe others were guided into the school gym. There were stations. Each station held 30 pound bags of rice, soy meal and a vitamin packet. Each bag was filled in layers by a team of 4, the bags were placed in shoe box style bins and a "runner" would bring the bins over to another table where there were teams of "weighers" weighed out the bags and handed them off to the "sealer" team. Which this was where China Doll and myself worked using a sealer timing it for about 3 seconds making sure the food packet was secured and ready to be packed into large boxes by yet another team of strong teens and men. Tomorrow the food will head out to be flown to orphanages in Nicaragua. We were told today that 700+ children will eat for one full year!! The goal for today was 285,120 meals.

I've never been a part of something this huge. China Doll and I participated together last Christmas with LW church in wrapping gifts for children of families who were in need. Most of these families were in the city. Since I was no longer a part of the services of displaced families and abused children within the city I felt a calling to help and I recruited my oldest daughter to help. We enjoyed our job and I knew by having my daughter there by my side, she was able to see with her own eyes what type of families/people I was talking about when I worked at the shelter as a caseworker.

And now this year she is older..... more in tune with what is surrounding us not just here in the states but world wide. China Doll even suggested we stay longer to get more meal bags sealed and packed before we headed out for our own food at a local grocery store. We talked about feeling guilty..... complaining about what we don't have in the frig...... or not being able to afford the fresh catch of the day this week. Perhaps she felt a guilty twinge because I did not give her an extra $5 for Starbucks before the "free" concert at Youthfest last evening. MMmmmmm.

No matter what went through her young mind..... I couldn't help but feel good about our work.

Not about me.... not about us.... not about her. But the work we all put into making our goal..... working as a very large team......laughing, shouting at the drum roll......giggles from the kids and cheers at the end of our service. What an awesome service it was!

Pastor P. said as we finished up..... God is looking down with one very large smile.

**Just had to mention that the "runners" were children ages 5 yrs. to 10 yrs. of age. it was pretty awesome to watch them work with such emotion and passion.

Have an awesome week.

Love&Peace

Lis

www.stophungernow.org

www.orphanetwork.org

Back In The Saddle

Hello from Lazy Town VA! I've been unmotivated to do much-loved-motivated stuff recently.

I should try to put into alphabetical order the events that have been taking place in our little world right now...... but those events do not seem so eventful now that I sit here thinking about them. They've only been keeping us busy enough to feel the wonders of falling into Lazy Town.

And now that I think about Lazy Town..... that visit only came and went way too quickly....like most vacations. No we didn't go on vacation...Lazy Town happened right here in VA!

Football Superstar has been busy at work. The DC metro real estate market is keeping him on his toes- yet his career no longer rules him. smile. My summer camp days are fun....but wow am I ready to grab Apple Cheeks and drive home by 4:00! China Doll and Freckle Boy are using their summer days one at a time.

Sam the dog and September the cat are unaware that it is summer .... every moment for them is vacation. I would love to just lay around on the back of the couch all day and wait for someone to meow at because they did not scoop out my Fancy Feast quick enough. Or if I were Sam I would probably...... be in the same position when my family took off for work or the pool when they arrive home at the end of their day. I can't imagine that!

I want to cram so much in this summer. A gal pal weekend with my Gracie. A drive to NJ with my Eva to visit our sister-in-law Dori. Lazy pool days with my girls.

The zoo for Apple Cheeks birthday. Visits to family and friends. A diet. no...scratch that one.

Yoga. yeah...I will commit to getting back into yoga. Finish decorating our cozy pad.

Learning the art of baking delicious and decorating amazing cupcakes. Community outreach.

Finishing my Language Art class. ugh. Taking an art class.

And that's not all..... perhaps I should put my list in alphabetical order. ??

I'm hoping my readers and favorite bloggers are having an awesome summer!

I promise to reconnect soon...... with something worth reading. Until then...I love knowing you are still here. : )

Peace&Love,

Lis

Tapped Out

It's 6:15 AM. On this Sunday morning there is a fine mist in the air with a breeze. I'm tempted to just grab my coffee and sit on the balcony while everyone else sleeps. Oh, Football Superstar is up, but he is preparing another pot of coffee for our guest.

I haven't posted anything for quite some time. I feel "tapped out". My life journal sits in my bedroom with pages full.....but for some reason I just haven't added any words to this blog.

Last evening before I fell asleep I thought about this...... and yesterday as I sat on the balcony soaking up the early morning sun I thought about this...... and here again I think about this.

THIS.

I'm thinking about my friends who are going through some very rough times.

My co-workers who struggle to find themselves.

Those family members who struggle to find a sense of peace or those who set out to conquer success- what success is it that they look for?

Those who try to find a place where they belong.

Football Superstar tells me what they need....what's important.....what matters.

of course I know this. My husband who was not tapped on the shoulder by God but was tackled to the ground as only God could do with a strong ex-football player.

But how do you watch and wait? I'm not a very patient person at times....especially when I feel there are important matters to be dealt with.

The "see-saw approach" to life must be hard. The "waiting the storm out" can not be healthy.

This is why I feel tapped. Yet, I don't want to just stand in the rain waiting with those who are in the storm. I can handle some rain, I have cute wellies to wear.... but I'm not so sure standing in the center of thunder and lightening is something I feel comfortable doing.

Last sip of coffee....I'm heading to the balcony. I think I just answered my own question.

Sometimes it takes the perfect storm to be healed. keeping my wellies by the door.

Thank you Father!

Peace&Love,

Lis