Thursday, June 29, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
One year ago today, we left for Cologne, Germany. But this picture was taken closer to home. Last Friday, Joey and I were looking for the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago. We couldn't find it so Joey went into the WGN building to ask for directions. While I waited for him, a bunch of kids walked up and started taking pictures of gargoyles which were above me. I looked up at them and noticed I was standing next to a piece of the Dom from Cologne. The whole WGN building is comprised of many pieces of famous buildings throughout the world. Funny thing is, if the kids hadn't shown up, I never would have looked up to see this. I guess God really wanted to remind us of where He sent us a year ago.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Part 1~ I am the Big Brother
I’m in a growing phase. Faith inside me is deepening. The only way this can happen is by going through trials. These trials have been coming at me for the past few months and now, I’m feeling the change inside of me, like I “get it” more. I know for certain I am no longer a baby Christ Follower. The realm I am in would be more of a junior high Christ Follower. I have been writing about going through this change and I need to share the good, rotten and beautiful. God is growing me up.
I read in Our Daily Bread yesterday about how we represent all three characters from the Prodigal Son parable at different times in our lives. Julie Ackerman Link writes “at times we are the wayward child in need of repentance and forgiveness. At other times we are the big brother who wants to hold on to resentment and withhold forgiveness. But as we mature, we become like the father, whose highest desire is to have all his children reconciled.”
I see how I have been the wayward child...sometimes once a day...but no, overall I am faithful. The past few months, I've actually been the big brother, not wanting to forgive, not letting myself forget. But the time is coming. I feel like I'm sitting on the edge of it...I can see it...I see the lesson almost as soon as it happens. Quite an exciting time for me right now....quite a scary, difficult, painful, joyous time. Stand by for more.....
I read in Our Daily Bread yesterday about how we represent all three characters from the Prodigal Son parable at different times in our lives. Julie Ackerman Link writes “at times we are the wayward child in need of repentance and forgiveness. At other times we are the big brother who wants to hold on to resentment and withhold forgiveness. But as we mature, we become like the father, whose highest desire is to have all his children reconciled.”
I see how I have been the wayward child...sometimes once a day...but no, overall I am faithful. The past few months, I've actually been the big brother, not wanting to forgive, not letting myself forget. But the time is coming. I feel like I'm sitting on the edge of it...I can see it...I see the lesson almost as soon as it happens. Quite an exciting time for me right now....quite a scary, difficult, painful, joyous time. Stand by for more.....
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Jack
Jack's sick. The outlook isn't good. Joey says he has dropsy. I'm not sure what that means but I know it looks really gross. His eyes are protruding and the scales around his lips are all flaky. Joey thinks something happened in the tank, like maybe the catfish went after him or he was cut somehow. The cut got infected, Jack got stressed out and now we have him in isolation. He's already swimming a little sideways. I feel like I failed as a parent. I also hope Diane doesn't get sick. She's scared because Jack is gone.
I know it's dumb to pray for my fish but maybe you could pray for me. One thing is certain--I'm never buying fish again.
On another note, Joey is home safe and sound. We leave for Chicago early tomorrow morning. Go Cubbies!
I know it's dumb to pray for my fish but maybe you could pray for me. One thing is certain--I'm never buying fish again.
On another note, Joey is home safe and sound. We leave for Chicago early tomorrow morning. Go Cubbies!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I was behind a garbage truck this morning on the freeway. The back of it said, "SMILE...everyone loves to be behind a garbage truck." Garbageman.com
Gone (Sob)
Joey left for his fishing trip on Sunday. I didn't think I would get so upset...but I did. I started becoming more and more grumpy as 6:00 approached. I realized I was making it difficult for him to leave so I pretended to be happy and that made it worse. It's so crazy how things change. When he left, I actually wasn't sure what to do with myself. I felt a little lost. Now, keep in mind that I don't even see him Monday through Thursday. Could it be God is drawing us closer together? Nah..... :o)
I hung out with my Grandma, aunt, mom and niece yesterday. We visited my grandfather's grave in Breckenridge, MI. Breckenridge is where my grandmother is from and where my grandparents started their family. It is a cute, little village in the flatest part of MI. The cemetary is beautiful with a field of wildflowers bordering the west side. I always feel at peace when strolling through the various resting places: my great-grandparents, my great uncle, friends of my grandma's. My mom usually grabs a watering can to give the flowers a drink. It doesn't matter if she knows the people or not.
My mom was telling me about a headstone that had the Pittsburgh Steelers logo on it in color. I found the headstone on our way back to the car. The rest of my family came over to see it, commented on how unique it was and then started toward the car, again. But as I stared at the headstone, a chill shot through my body.
"Mom, come back and take another look at this," I said. When she approached, she didn't notice what I had noticed...at first. Then, she exclaimed, "Oh, wow. He had your birthday." Yeah, this person who had passed away was born February 22, 1976. We were born on the same exact day but he died in 2002. It was a little creepy staring at my birthdate on a headstone, knowing that someday it would be mine. Of course, I will never die....spiritually...but sometimes I get weirded out when I think of my body decomposing in a grave. Hope you weren't eating lunch when you read that.
Anyhow, we went to visit my great aunt Marlene afterward and then went to the old soda shop for lunch. It still has the same soda fountain counter my grandma used to sit at when she was in high school. After lunch, we went to Soaring Eagle casino where I lost $40 of my own, $40 of my aunt's and $10 of my grandma's. My aunt won about $2,000 so I was happy for her.
After a stop at Tom's Western Store (I stayed in the van to take a nap), we returned to Holt. I went home from there but stopped to visit Hemi and Chessie. They were already upset at being left alone for a day but there was nothing I could do. I started to feel sad on the way home but Jennwy and Yi kept me company. I love them :o)
Anyhow, I only have three more days to go and I will see JAC on Thursday. We leave for Chicago on Friday morning and it is going to be a blast. Check out where we are staying. And yes, same room, two double beds, and a strong Holy Spirit. :o)
I hung out with my Grandma, aunt, mom and niece yesterday. We visited my grandfather's grave in Breckenridge, MI. Breckenridge is where my grandmother is from and where my grandparents started their family. It is a cute, little village in the flatest part of MI. The cemetary is beautiful with a field of wildflowers bordering the west side. I always feel at peace when strolling through the various resting places: my great-grandparents, my great uncle, friends of my grandma's. My mom usually grabs a watering can to give the flowers a drink. It doesn't matter if she knows the people or not.
My mom was telling me about a headstone that had the Pittsburgh Steelers logo on it in color. I found the headstone on our way back to the car. The rest of my family came over to see it, commented on how unique it was and then started toward the car, again. But as I stared at the headstone, a chill shot through my body.
"Mom, come back and take another look at this," I said. When she approached, she didn't notice what I had noticed...at first. Then, she exclaimed, "Oh, wow. He had your birthday." Yeah, this person who had passed away was born February 22, 1976. We were born on the same exact day but he died in 2002. It was a little creepy staring at my birthdate on a headstone, knowing that someday it would be mine. Of course, I will never die....spiritually...but sometimes I get weirded out when I think of my body decomposing in a grave. Hope you weren't eating lunch when you read that.
Anyhow, we went to visit my great aunt Marlene afterward and then went to the old soda shop for lunch. It still has the same soda fountain counter my grandma used to sit at when she was in high school. After lunch, we went to Soaring Eagle casino where I lost $40 of my own, $40 of my aunt's and $10 of my grandma's. My aunt won about $2,000 so I was happy for her.
After a stop at Tom's Western Store (I stayed in the van to take a nap), we returned to Holt. I went home from there but stopped to visit Hemi and Chessie. They were already upset at being left alone for a day but there was nothing I could do. I started to feel sad on the way home but Jennwy and Yi kept me company. I love them :o)
Anyhow, I only have three more days to go and I will see JAC on Thursday. We leave for Chicago on Friday morning and it is going to be a blast. Check out where we are staying. And yes, same room, two double beds, and a strong Holy Spirit. :o)
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Friday, June 09, 2006
Chai Revisited
After work...yay. Traffic back to Lansing....boo. New Coffee Beanery next to exit....hmmm....
I had been wanting to check out this new Coffee Beanery for a few months now. Today was the day. I pulled up to the curb and noticed the free Wi-fi. Super. This Coffee Beanery is also a Cinnabon. Bonus. I walked up to the counter and the following took place.
Friendly Coffee Beanery Employee: May I help you?
Holly: Yes. I would like a Skinny Chai.
FCBE: Hot or cold?
H: Hot
FCBE: Size?
H: Tall.
FCBE: Spiced, Vanilla or Decaf Vanilla?
H: You're kidding me. You guys have Decaf Vanilla now?
FCBE: Yes. (Pause) Are you crying?
H: (Sniffle) Um...no. I'll have the Decaf Vanilla.
FCBE: Coming right up.
H: Oh, and can I have two scoops of Chai instead of four?
FCBE: You got it.
H: Wow! You have frequent shopper punch cards?!
FCBE: Yup. (Pause) Are you crying?
H: It's been a good day.
So, I got to drive to Lansing with my tall, skinny, vanilla, decaf, hot chai. Oh...glory. It made me think about how Yi was going to rank chai but I can't remember if she did. I shall rank my favorites now.
1.) The Coffee Beanery--Now that they have Vanilla Decaf and a store right next to my office, they have pulled ahead. The Chai is like a Christmasy treat, especially when the milk is frothy. Mmmmmmm......
2.) Borders--A close second for all the reasons above, except they aren't next to my office...but they are next to Bally's.
3.) Starbucks--Eh. I could take it or leave it. I little on the spicy side. I wouldn't wait in line for a Starbucks Chai.
4.) Beaners--Yucks. I thought I liked their blend but one day I was drinking it and I suddenly thought, "wait, I hate this." It takes like black pepper. Where is the gingerbread taste? Where is the frothy milk and vanilla yumminess?
There you have it. A chai update. Perhaps I will gain all that wait back before the summer is over.
Wish me luck tomorrow on my 5k. It starts out at Mason High School. I'm not nervous at all. I'll do what I can. I'm more nervous about Max's Race for some reason. And thanks to JAC for making his homemade spaghetti sauce for me and my family tonight. It was so darn good and I liked the addition of the meatballs. Way to carb me up before the big run. Suz, Melissa, Christine and Yi....you are all invited over the night before Max's for some more spaghetti. Joey already said he would be happy to make it for our "team."
Peace out.
I had been wanting to check out this new Coffee Beanery for a few months now. Today was the day. I pulled up to the curb and noticed the free Wi-fi. Super. This Coffee Beanery is also a Cinnabon. Bonus. I walked up to the counter and the following took place.
Friendly Coffee Beanery Employee: May I help you?
Holly: Yes. I would like a Skinny Chai.
FCBE: Hot or cold?
H: Hot
FCBE: Size?
H: Tall.
FCBE: Spiced, Vanilla or Decaf Vanilla?
H: You're kidding me. You guys have Decaf Vanilla now?
FCBE: Yes. (Pause) Are you crying?
H: (Sniffle) Um...no. I'll have the Decaf Vanilla.
FCBE: Coming right up.
H: Oh, and can I have two scoops of Chai instead of four?
FCBE: You got it.
H: Wow! You have frequent shopper punch cards?!
FCBE: Yup. (Pause) Are you crying?
H: It's been a good day.
So, I got to drive to Lansing with my tall, skinny, vanilla, decaf, hot chai. Oh...glory. It made me think about how Yi was going to rank chai but I can't remember if she did. I shall rank my favorites now.
1.) The Coffee Beanery--Now that they have Vanilla Decaf and a store right next to my office, they have pulled ahead. The Chai is like a Christmasy treat, especially when the milk is frothy. Mmmmmmm......
2.) Borders--A close second for all the reasons above, except they aren't next to my office...but they are next to Bally's.
3.) Starbucks--Eh. I could take it or leave it. I little on the spicy side. I wouldn't wait in line for a Starbucks Chai.
4.) Beaners--Yucks. I thought I liked their blend but one day I was drinking it and I suddenly thought, "wait, I hate this." It takes like black pepper. Where is the gingerbread taste? Where is the frothy milk and vanilla yumminess?
There you have it. A chai update. Perhaps I will gain all that wait back before the summer is over.
Wish me luck tomorrow on my 5k. It starts out at Mason High School. I'm not nervous at all. I'll do what I can. I'm more nervous about Max's Race for some reason. And thanks to JAC for making his homemade spaghetti sauce for me and my family tonight. It was so darn good and I liked the addition of the meatballs. Way to carb me up before the big run. Suz, Melissa, Christine and Yi....you are all invited over the night before Max's for some more spaghetti. Joey already said he would be happy to make it for our "team."
Peace out.
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