Shwew! We made it! After over 12 hours on the road, our hotel outside of Oklahoma City looked very nice indeed. The city itself looked very nice with all it's lights. Altogether, the trip has gone very quickly and smoothly so far. Molly and I have had a great time talking, laughing and listening to music and Les Miserables.
Speaking of laughing, we've seen some funny sights on the way... Here they are in no particular order:
1) A tree hung with over a dozen pairs of shoes somewhere in western AL.
2) Sign: "Territorial Museum" (don't get too close to that one!)
3) Sign: "See Salisaw!" (OK has a lot of See Suchandsuch! signs and they're all enthusiastic, but this one was my fave).
4) Sign: "Now Entering Citizen Preservation Area" (As opposed to??)
The landscapes have been varied and beautiful as well. The more northern route through Arkansas is much preferable to the southern route we take to Dallas, which I have affectionately termed "Arkanblah." And as we were rolling into the city area here, we were treated to a most spectacular lightning show in the big sky.
I'll see about getting some pictures up soon...but for now I've just got to crash.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
T-minus Less Than 24 Hours
For anyone who's interested, here's my blog where I will be chronicling (or attempting to chronicle) my out west summer adventures.
I can't believe it...I'm leaving for New Mexico in less than 24 hours! And I don't have half of the stuff done that I had hoped to at this point. It's like I've been in waiting mode so long that it is been hard to kick myself back into high gear and get stuff done.
But, since my still-on-eastern-time body decided to wake me up at 7:30 this morning, I'm going to try and take advantage of the extra hour or so this morning. Blog post - check. Next...
I can't believe it...I'm leaving for New Mexico in less than 24 hours! And I don't have half of the stuff done that I had hoped to at this point. It's like I've been in waiting mode so long that it is been hard to kick myself back into high gear and get stuff done.
But, since my still-on-eastern-time body decided to wake me up at 7:30 this morning, I'm going to try and take advantage of the extra hour or so this morning. Blog post - check. Next...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Horse Tales 3: Part 2 - The Good Shepherd
Interestingly, after Part 1 happened on Saturday, my pastor preached on Psalm 23 on Sunday. Part of the sermon focused on the last part of verse 3, "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." The pastor said that the first verse of this section would be better translated, "He guides me on the right paths" and that it pictures the shepherd physically guiding His sheep down the right path.
He noted that the shepherd does not give his sheep a map of the right paths and say, "good luck!" Instead, he walks with them down the paths and shows them the way to go. From my experience working with animals, this probably involves physically blocking off the wrong path to prevent them from taking it!
The second part of this section says that He guides me in this way, "for His name's sake." In other words, if the shepherd showed up without his sheep, he would be ridiculed and never trusted with sheep again. I can't imagine having a group show up and having to tell them the ride was canceled because I could not get the horses to come in. That is simply not an option. I will go out and chase down each individual horse and walk them back in personally if necessary.
Since God is The Good Shepherd, He must guide His sheep rightly to protect His name. It is for His glory that He guides us on the right path. These two truths are such a comfort for me. Somehow, along the way, I have picked up the idea that God likes to sit back and watch me struggle to find His will. But it is not so! He is there with me, every step of the way, opening doors and closing off the way to the wrong path. And He will do it always because it is for His name's sake.
Additionally, the pastor mentioned that the shepherd would also often carry fruit in his hands behind his back so that the sheep would want to follow him. So, when I brought the horses in on Sunday, I took some feed out with me...and the whole herd came in!
He noted that the shepherd does not give his sheep a map of the right paths and say, "good luck!" Instead, he walks with them down the paths and shows them the way to go. From my experience working with animals, this probably involves physically blocking off the wrong path to prevent them from taking it!
The second part of this section says that He guides me in this way, "for His name's sake." In other words, if the shepherd showed up without his sheep, he would be ridiculed and never trusted with sheep again. I can't imagine having a group show up and having to tell them the ride was canceled because I could not get the horses to come in. That is simply not an option. I will go out and chase down each individual horse and walk them back in personally if necessary.
Since God is The Good Shepherd, He must guide His sheep rightly to protect His name. It is for His glory that He guides us on the right path. These two truths are such a comfort for me. Somehow, along the way, I have picked up the idea that God likes to sit back and watch me struggle to find His will. But it is not so! He is there with me, every step of the way, opening doors and closing off the way to the wrong path. And He will do it always because it is for His name's sake.
Additionally, the pastor mentioned that the shepherd would also often carry fruit in his hands behind his back so that the sheep would want to follow him. So, when I brought the horses in on Sunday, I took some feed out with me...and the whole herd came in!
Horse Tales 3: Part 1 - Follow Me
I ran trail rides at camp this last weekend. It's always an adventure. One of the first things I have to do is bring in all the horses we need for the group. In the off season, they're way out in the winter pasture, so the easiest way is to drive them in with the four-wheeler.
Before heading out, I put a little feed in each stall so that they would be rewarded for coming in and occupied long enough for me to shut the stall doors. The "Old Guys" have been fed every day this winter, so they were actually waiting for me at the gate. However, the rest of the herd was way out, so I drove out there and tried to encourage them to come in with much calling and waving of a riding whip.
Romeo and Onyx came in fairly easily, but Kiefer and Reggie gave me the run around and eventually out ran me. Romeo is one of our steady-eddies and his experience told him that though there was work ahead, there was also good things to be had in the barn. Kiefer and Reggie are newer and haven't yet realized that they will come in one way or the other - whether they follow my initial call or I have to come back out with halters and lead ropes.
Later, it struck me that we are often like these horses. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 14:24). There are some of us who are waiting at the gate for God's call and follow as soon as He opens the door. Others of us wait for Him to come after us, but willingly follow after we see that it is the best option at hand. Still others of us make every effort to evade His calling (it means work after all!) and don't follow till He comes after us with a halter and lead.
But, even though following His call often means leaving the good we can see now (the green grass of the pasture), God knows that the good He has ahead is even better (the feed in the barn) and that His plan is really in our best interest.
So, the question I am left asking myself is, how do I respond to God's calling in my life?
Before heading out, I put a little feed in each stall so that they would be rewarded for coming in and occupied long enough for me to shut the stall doors. The "Old Guys" have been fed every day this winter, so they were actually waiting for me at the gate. However, the rest of the herd was way out, so I drove out there and tried to encourage them to come in with much calling and waving of a riding whip.
Romeo and Onyx came in fairly easily, but Kiefer and Reggie gave me the run around and eventually out ran me. Romeo is one of our steady-eddies and his experience told him that though there was work ahead, there was also good things to be had in the barn. Kiefer and Reggie are newer and haven't yet realized that they will come in one way or the other - whether they follow my initial call or I have to come back out with halters and lead ropes.
Later, it struck me that we are often like these horses. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 14:24). There are some of us who are waiting at the gate for God's call and follow as soon as He opens the door. Others of us wait for Him to come after us, but willingly follow after we see that it is the best option at hand. Still others of us make every effort to evade His calling (it means work after all!) and don't follow till He comes after us with a halter and lead.
But, even though following His call often means leaving the good we can see now (the green grass of the pasture), God knows that the good He has ahead is even better (the feed in the barn) and that His plan is really in our best interest.
So, the question I am left asking myself is, how do I respond to God's calling in my life?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Condolences on your birthday.
I just re-read my 22nd birthday card from my grandmother. The first time, I was distracted by the sweet note on the left hand side of the inside. It was a heart-felt "can't believe you're growing up" note with the traditional line about asking Dad about my birthday gift. (We used to get cash or checks, then it was reduced to sticky notes and now a line in the card directing us to her personal banker...but I digress.=)
Anyway, the front of the card reads, "God's grace is sufficient for every circumstance, every need, and every moment in our lives." Not exactly your traditional birthday greeting, but suitable enough.
Then, there's the inside, which reads: "May you experience His grace in abundant measure during this difficult time." Signed, "Love, Nanny".
I didn't think I was supposed to get this type of card until 40 or so! I guess 22 is over the hill in her book. (But she's got 60 some-odd years on me.)
Anyway, the front of the card reads, "God's grace is sufficient for every circumstance, every need, and every moment in our lives." Not exactly your traditional birthday greeting, but suitable enough.
Then, there's the inside, which reads: "May you experience His grace in abundant measure during this difficult time." Signed, "Love, Nanny".
I didn't think I was supposed to get this type of card until 40 or so! I guess 22 is over the hill in her book. (But she's got 60 some-odd years on me.)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Speaking of walking on...
Wow, I am on a roll today! Ha. It helps that I'm sitting here in front of my laptop waiting for video to render and export on the other computer...and that I've already read through my feedreader and checked Facebook an insane number of times. But, I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm very grateful to be sitting here, in this cubicle, rendering video.
When I took the job in New Mexico, I was worried about the month and a half of free time I'd have before heading out there. Don't get me wrong, I love free time. But too much of a good thing...well, let's just say I find it hard to live with myself when I get bored.
I had just finished school on March 1 (yay for being done with college!) and also ended a 6 month freelance stint with a church I love. There were no obvious prospects for work on the horizon and I was fearing sitting in the basement staring at my wall.
However, God has been very good to me. The time I spent at home gave me much needed rest (it was crazy how much I slept) and time to gather my gear for this summer. Then, my network came through for me and I got an offer of one day helping with a video shoot that turned into a shoot plus three days of editing. And now, I have been offered an additional two weeks of editing. Wow!
Better yet, the schedule is flexible enough that I can make it back home for my CPR recert and Dr's appointment, spend Easter with the family and then head back to work (it's onsite stuff). Then, I'll be finished just under a week before it is time to leave.
I probably shouldn't be amazed when the Creator of the universe arranges the details of my life better than I could imagine...but I am. Time after time I step back and mentally hand the reins back over. I want to believe, just help me with my unbelief!
When I took the job in New Mexico, I was worried about the month and a half of free time I'd have before heading out there. Don't get me wrong, I love free time. But too much of a good thing...well, let's just say I find it hard to live with myself when I get bored.
I had just finished school on March 1 (yay for being done with college!) and also ended a 6 month freelance stint with a church I love. There were no obvious prospects for work on the horizon and I was fearing sitting in the basement staring at my wall.
However, God has been very good to me. The time I spent at home gave me much needed rest (it was crazy how much I slept) and time to gather my gear for this summer. Then, my network came through for me and I got an offer of one day helping with a video shoot that turned into a shoot plus three days of editing. And now, I have been offered an additional two weeks of editing. Wow!
Better yet, the schedule is flexible enough that I can make it back home for my CPR recert and Dr's appointment, spend Easter with the family and then head back to work (it's onsite stuff). Then, I'll be finished just under a week before it is time to leave.
I probably shouldn't be amazed when the Creator of the universe arranges the details of my life better than I could imagine...but I am. Time after time I step back and mentally hand the reins back over. I want to believe, just help me with my unbelief!
Horse Tales 2: Relax!
So, as I mentioned...um...three weeks ago, I am a sporadic journal-er at best, so I'm probably even a worse blogger. I even added the little Blogger widget to my homepage so it is there staring at me every time I bring up Safari. However, every time I start thinking about something to write, fear creeps it. I over analyze and decide that it's not worth writing anyhow. I'm letting my fear paralyze me.
Now, my blog-o-phobia is not that big of a deal, except that it is standing in the way of my goal to be a better blogger. But, I've discovered that developing a discipline of overcoming fears is an important part of enjoying life.
I remember one time when I was at a show, about to ride a dressage test from memory. Right before the bell rang for my horse and I to enter the ring, I became afraid that I would not remember where I should perform each element of the test. I unconsciously tensed up and as a result, Captain refused to enter the ring.
Horses are amazing mirrors of human emotions. Their reactions are quick and honest. I was afraid and so he was afraid too. I became frustrated that he would not go forward and so he became both frustrated and afraid. My cues were telling him to go forward, but my body language was telling him that there was something scary ahead.
Finally, I realized what was happening and took a very deep breath, forced my body to relax and calmly asked him to enter the ring. He immediately picked up the trot I had asked for and, lo and behold, I remembered my test.
Now, there are times that it is good to listen to your fears - such as the feeling that you should not run out in front of a moving car because it might hit you - and I am not advocating a lack of common sense. However, most of the fears I face on a daily basis are not based on common sense but instead on anxiety, forgotten truth or a lack of trust. Developing the habit of overcoming these little joy-suckers takes intentionality and a bit of courage. But God wants us to live in love and not fear and is delighted when we choose to walk in His love instead of our fears.
So, sit up straight, take a deep breath and walk on in His love.
Now, my blog-o-phobia is not that big of a deal, except that it is standing in the way of my goal to be a better blogger. But, I've discovered that developing a discipline of overcoming fears is an important part of enjoying life.
I remember one time when I was at a show, about to ride a dressage test from memory. Right before the bell rang for my horse and I to enter the ring, I became afraid that I would not remember where I should perform each element of the test. I unconsciously tensed up and as a result, Captain refused to enter the ring.
Horses are amazing mirrors of human emotions. Their reactions are quick and honest. I was afraid and so he was afraid too. I became frustrated that he would not go forward and so he became both frustrated and afraid. My cues were telling him to go forward, but my body language was telling him that there was something scary ahead.
Finally, I realized what was happening and took a very deep breath, forced my body to relax and calmly asked him to enter the ring. He immediately picked up the trot I had asked for and, lo and behold, I remembered my test.
Now, there are times that it is good to listen to your fears - such as the feeling that you should not run out in front of a moving car because it might hit you - and I am not advocating a lack of common sense. However, most of the fears I face on a daily basis are not based on common sense but instead on anxiety, forgotten truth or a lack of trust. Developing the habit of overcoming these little joy-suckers takes intentionality and a bit of courage. But God wants us to live in love and not fear and is delighted when we choose to walk in His love instead of our fears.
So, sit up straight, take a deep breath and walk on in His love.
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