More College Life …

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

6:04 PM

Well, I’ve almost finished up day two. The only thing left for me to do is get to bed and somehow get a decent night’s sleep. Last night I finished organizing a few things and then decided to go to bed around ten o’clock. Well, the bed was just as soft and welcoming as I had anticipated when making it up yesterday morning but sleep just wouldn’t come. I tried everything, even forcing myself to relax while I attempted to zone out for awhile. That, to my great surprise and delight, almost worked. And then, somewhere close to midnight, just as my eyes began to get heavy and yawning was turning into a long, drawn out process that I was finding rather enjoyable … the door banged open down the hall and a wild squeal pierced the air.

I bolted upright, wide eyed and fully alert now. My first thought? I hadn’t one, but many! So many crazy ideas came whizzing through my mind. I listened for a moment or two, until I was convinced that the girls from Buker dorm had arrived for the night.

Apparently, a fire alarm was faulty in theirs so they were staying in various places in our dorm for the night until the alarm was fixed. I settled back down and tried to get to sleep once more. About thirty minutes later I fell asleep watching the rising, falling glow of my clock as it changed colors.

I am convinced I woke up at least half a dozen times, I have turned into a light sleeper over the Summer much to my deep regret. I faded in and out of my dreams, listening to every tiny noise and glancing occasionally at the clock glowing at me in the corner. I had set my alarm for six, giving me plenty of time for my devotions and getting my day started before heading to breakfast at seven-thirty. Finally, I gave up the long battle for sleep. It wasn’t worth it anymore. I glanced at the clock as I slid from my bed. The neon numbers shouted at me. It was only five-thirty and knowing I’d probably be exhausted by the day’s end, I forced myself to lay there with my eyes closed for fifteen minutes more. I couldn’t take it one minute longer, I was wasting valuable time and just laying there wasn’t doing me any good anyways.

I felt my way down the darkened hall, with only the red glow of the Exit signs to guide me to the end. I took a shower and went back to my room where I got ready for the day and did my devotions. It was nearing seven so I tiptoed down the hall and found my friend, Danielle. She was up and moving about so we decided to walk to the kitchen together at seven-fifteen.

Seven-fifteen rolled around and letting the back kitchen door slam shut behind us announcing our arrival, we met Mr. Dallas. He was wide-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning, which has to be one of the nicest things about going to breakfast here. We grabbed something to drink and waited for the rest of the kitchen workers to get there. Half of them were already in the back, cooking breakfast and washing up the pots and pans.

After breakfast, we spent almost three hours in another Staff meeting which wasn’t half bad. It was all about kitchen safety and touring the Kitchen and Cafeteria. It was probably the first time I’ve ever been paid to listen! J

Who would complain over that, right?

We all headed back to our dorms about ten-thirty to grab a quick nap before clocking back in at quarter to twelve. I ended up taking about a fifteen minute nap or so which was actually pretty nice! I had to tell myself I needed the sleep in order to get anywhere but I appreciated the little bit that I got.

We learned the Sandwich Bar for lunch. That was totally fun, although I came home smelling like a Panini Grill. J I had done the Sandwich Bar at Camp Barnabas so I knew how to do it, thankfully. It was a lot of fun.

We cleaned up, had another brief Staff meeting and then spent time back at the dorms until three. I met Danielle again and we got to the kitchen early. We all worked what little we could, Danielle and I helped Dan make a cake. We were measuring Sugar and Flour out of those big plastic bins and using Oil out of a gallon jug, which was kind of funny. And then we all stood around talking for awhile until the cake came out of the oven and the BBQ was finished.

We spent half the time goofing off, joking around and having a good time. It was getting crazy in the kitchen toward the end and it was rather toasty on top of that with all the steamers, ovens and the dish pit going all at once. One of the guys I work with walked around the kitchen all day singing Willie Wonka’s “Who can make the Sun shine … sprinkle it with dew?” at various points throughout the day until it got stuck in everyone’s head. J

Ben, as you can well imagine, adds to the fun of working in the kitchen. If you’re down and getting a bit tired, all you have to do is walk past him. You’ll probably hear him singing a fun, cheerful little tune if you can’t already hear him from the dist pit. The guys have taken to whistling whatever song he’s singing, and the girls just laugh and smile. Yes, we’re just singing it in our heads and occasionally whistling along but its really great!

Everyone has such good attitudes and we all have a good time, which makes work so much fun! I love it. Everyone’s getting to know each other and we’re all becoming one big Kitchen Family. Its great. J

So now I’m sitting at the coffee shop, without internet until Thursday at the earliest. I’ve decided to keep up with my blog in the meantime since I’ve nothing else to take up my evenings after work. Danielle is sitting beside me on the tan suede couch doing some Braille work for a course she’s taking elsewhere and Dan is sitting across from us in a big arm chair, probably surfing the web. He’s a returning student so he already has the pass codes he needs. I’m just waiting until they give me the Student handbook and I can sign the form I need agreeing to the terms to receive my pass codes. Yay! I really can’t wait but you’ve probably already figured that out.

I don’t know what I’ll spend the rest of my evening doing but I’m sure that when I get back to the dorm, I’ll throw the window open and listen to the cows, occasional siren from the fire station down the road and all the Night Creatures that fill the air with lovely little noises.

　

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

4:45 PM

I have determined that I am destined to live with interesting Wednesdays for the rest of my life. J

Last night, I was texting Megan on the way home from work and she ended up coming over to the dorm to hang out with me for awhile. As you know, I had nothing left to do yesterday evening after spending time in the coffee shop and finishing up my blog. As Danielle and I were sitting on the couch side by side, I looked at her and she looked at me. Our little plan to amuse ourselves in the Coffee Shop was beginning to bore us to no end. We decided to take our laptops back to the dorm and go for a walk. Our boredom had reached that point that ANYTHING different would be better than what we’d been doing, so we headed across Campus.

Megan called and said she was on her way over and wanted to know if I’d be busy. I was thrilled to pieces to have her come over. Danielle ended up getting a call from her brother so Megs and I headed over to the Coffee Shop to see if anybody wanted to come hang out in the dorm and do a Facial. She sells Mary Kay and had to have thirty facials in within the next two weeks so this was the perfect opportunity for her. A few of the girls, who had no idea what a facial was mind you, agreed to come over and hang out with us. Megs and I ran back to the dorm, unloaded her car and set up everything in the LeForce living room. The two of us chatted while we waited and finally when all the girls showed up, we turned on some music and began our little Mary Kay party.

Megs was a little nervous, this being her second party ever. She did an amazing job, by the way! J

All the girls had fun and loved the products. A few girls who don’t wear makeup because they didn’t want to look painted actually liked it too. They were surprised at how natural they still looked, since Mary Kay only enhanced what they already had! I foresee them wearing makeup in the future, just between us.

Finally, the girls went back to their dorms and Megs and I packed up her stuff. It was quarter after ten, so Megs decided to stay for awhile. We curled up on the couches and talked about everything under the sun until about five to midnight. It was awesome! I love Megs to pieces, she’s really great.

I finished up some things in my dorm room and went to bed exhausted. It was a good kind of exhaustion, and I fell asleep instantly. I woke up once at five-thirty, surprised that I had actually slept so soundly. I didn’t have to be up until six, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.

A door must have slammed or something, because the next thing I knew I bolted upright in bed. I glanced at the clock. Seven twenty-six. I just about had a heart attack as I threw back my quilt and bolted out of bed.

“It cant be right. There is no way on Earth I overslept!” I told myself, as I quickly brushed my teeth at the sink. I turned around, stared hard at the clock for a moment and threw myself into speedy action. I pulled a skirt and a work shirt out my closet, tossed them over the ironing board and plugged in my iron.

Apparently when I had silenced my phone when I was with Megs last night, I had forgotten to turn the ringer back on … I know. Pretty dumb, right?!!

About ten minutes later, I grabbed my bag, cell phone and dorm key and slid into my tennis shoes. I met Danielle on my way over and she laughed. She said that since breakfast was at seven-thirty only a few people missed me. Thank goodness I wasn’t late for work!

I’m not a big fan of breakfast anyway, so I wasn’t terribly upset at missing breakfast. But I abhor the thought of being late to anything, so I was feeling the stress of everything right off the bat. I let the kitchen door slam behind me, I grabbed an apron and looped my ponytail through my work hat. Taking a quick breath, I headed into the cafeteria. Everyone was still sitting down enjoying their breakfast. I grabbed a glass of water and wasted some time with the girls from my dorm before we all had to clock in.

The first two hours of our morning were spent doing some hands-on work in the kitchen. James showed us how the meat slicer and the dishwasher worked until we could take them apart and put them together to his approval. Since I had already worked the kitchen for Camp Barnabas, I got a refresher course on the drink machines which for some reason is one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen.

Then, we had another two hour Staff Meeting. Sounds super boring but it has its interesting moments and random humor. Its all good, although at times all the information tends to be altogether overwhelming! James has assured Becky and I that no matter how bad all the training gets, we will learn it eventually. He reminded us that there are no dumb questions unless they are never asked. So if we ever have a problem or don’t quite know how something ought to be done, all we have to do is go ask someone. Pretty simple stuff, I know! J

Next, we began lunch prep. We did the Sandwich Bar again, with the addition of Broccoli and Cheddar soup. I worked the dish pit and cleanup. I forget what its official name is, but we have a big pot in the kitchen that stands on a large shelf. Its just one machine, actually…rather than a pot but I really can’t remember the name of it at the moment. Everything in this kitchen has a name, and most are French to my dismay. L

So anyway, I had cleaned the particular “pot” twice during Camp Barnabas this Summer so I vaguely remembered how to clean it. James came over and ran through the process with me and then left me on my own. I grabbed the hose hanging on a hook behind the “pot” and filled it almost three quarters full. I grabbed a Scrubbee (what every ordinary kitchen would call a Brill pad … of sorts) and gave the inside and outside a good scrubbing. Hints the name Scrubbee!

Michael and I were the only ones working kitchen at the time, since everyone else was either working in the dish pit, the sandwich bar or on their lunch break. So he held another pot beneath the big “pot” that I was working on, while I tilted it by its lever and dumped the water out. He then took his pot to the big stainless steel sink and emptied it. I refilled mine with water and some soap and set to cleaning it again.

By the time we had emptied out the second or third pot of water, and I had wiped the “pot” in its entirety it was shining. Michael moved on to cleaning the Steamer, and I helped out in the dish pit. Soon, the rest of us took our own lunch break and settled in for another short Staff meeting after cleaning up.

Mr. Dallas let us off around one-thirty to go back to the dorm and get some sleep. I ended up being off for the rest of the day since I wasn’t working dinner shift. I got a little nap in and then journaled for awhile. Kristen and Leigh, two of the girls who work maintenance here, came in and put my window screen back. They had spent the day washing windows and were just getting around to putting mine back together. They did an excellent job, because my windows are now squeaky clean! J

Mom called so I talked to her for a little while, then got ready for church. I skipped dinner because I just wasn’t hungry. My ride to church is out of town for the week so I called Megs and asked if I could go to church with her tonight. Once the rest of the students get here on Friday, I will have a ride to and from church but for tonight, going with Megs will be great!

So for the time being, I’m just sitting here at my desk all ready for church and watching the colors on my Bubble clock fade into various shades. For some crazy reason I really like this new clock of mine. Maybe it’s the every changing lighting or something, I don’t know.

All in all, minus getting super stressed over waking up and actually being LATE …. And having to fill out an I-9 form for the first time in my life and having my driver’s license with its incredibly horrid picture copied for my files today, it was a Good Day!

Praise the Lord, I’ve made it through yet another day. J

　

　

P.S. Okay, so its ten twenty-five and since I work breakfast shift tomorrow I’m heading to bed soon. Just wanted to let you guys know that tonight was twice as nice as I had anticipated. The plan is for me to attend Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kings Mountain but like I said earlier, my ride for tonight ended up being out of town. Megan came about six-eighteen and picked me up, we got to church and sat in the car for maybe five minutes to catch a breather and relax for a second.

She had just come from work and I’d had one of those interesting days where the chance to relax stress-free for all of even TWO minutes was terrific news!

Megs helps out with the youth program on Wednesday nights so I had the opportunity to work with kids. That’s one thing I love about church — just a wonderful ministry to work with kids. J

So for an hour and a half I heard kids saying “Miss Brittany, Miss Brittany” … it was fantastic. We did songs and games. We had the usual bumped head or injured knee, its pretty much all part of the territory. But everybody was fine and had a fun time.

All the workers collapsed all the chairs and set up for RU this Friday night after the kids loaded into the vans. Both of Meg’s brothers had to work tonight so we stopped by Chick-fil-a on the way back to the dorm since neither of us had to be back for awhile yet.

One of Megan’s friends who just came back from a Summer Mission’s Trip to Nicaragua called her to let her know she was back in the states so she dropped in to grab a bite to eat and chat. We sat there for almost an hour, and it was sooooo nice not to have to go back to the dorm with nothing to do.

Not that being at Chick-fil-a was an altogether horrid thing either. It was totally fantastical! J

So, I just got in and I’m heading to bed now so I won’t have a repeat of today. Wish me luck, everybody … I’m pulling the super terrific Breakfast Shift tomorrow.

And no, I’m not worried about a thing in case anyone’s wondering. hee hee

~ Goodnight

 

First Day

Monday, August 17, 2009

8:37 PM

This morning we threw a load of laundry in and headed over to the college. I had prepared myself for this all weekend, so I walked through the door with my head held high and ready for whatever lay ahead of me.

I got my key from Ms. Bradanick, the Dean of Women and made my way across the street to the Jeanne Leforce dorm. Daddy pulled the van up outside and we all made quick work of unloading all my stuff into a somewhat scattered pile in the middle of my room. Since I’m working and had to be here a week early, the lights were all off and the room was a bit stuffy.

 

None of this mattered much, because after I flipped the lights on I noticed a continuous theme throughout this new place I’d call Home. Pink. Everything from the curtains, and the walls to the carpet on the floor. It was all various shades of Pink. Hmmm, this would definitely take some getting used to. At home, my walls were green. My bedding was green. Everything in my room was accented with green. Knowing me as most of you do, you would already be well aware that green and blue are my two favorite colors and as far as a decorating scheme would go . . . Pink would most definitely fall far down the list.

I shrugged my shoulders, no matter. J

I tackled the bed with Mckenna and Elaina with great success. I was pleasantly surprised at the finished product. It was all layer upon layer of comfy-ness and I loved it. There were my wonderfully smooth vintage sage sheets in a paisley pattern, and then the cool softness of my down comforter and homey green and cream quilt to top it all off. My bear, never to be left behind or forgotten by any means, lay in the middle of my pillow. It wasn’t home, but it sure was a start.

Next, the girls began to help me unpack my storage containers. I was rather adamant about not bringing suitcases along because I could just see myself bringing a multitude of suitcases now. No thank you, my boxes suited this girl just fine!

Mom wanted to make a quick run to Wal-Mart to grab some more hangers and a small refrigerator so I ran over to the kitchen real quick to talk to my boss, Mr. Dallas. He was busy talking with the parents of another kitchen worker so I waited. One of my friends stopped by and I talked to him for a few minutes until my boss had a minute. Another one of my friends was talking to Mom and the girls in the Van when I came back out so we stayed a little while longer and talked.

The quick trip to Wal-Mart turned into an hour long deal, resulting in a whole bunch of good stuff to unload in my room. A key chain ended up getting thrown into the cart to keep track of my dorm key, which I will have to keep with me night and day. If I lose that thing . . . Well, I just won’t be losing it. J

By the time we got back, it was time for me to head to work. I dropped mom and the girls off at the dorm to finish unloading the van and went to work. I had no idea what type of work I’d be doing today since none of the other students were arriving until next Friday. Work was a breeze, it ended up being a staff meeting that lasted somewhere close to two hours. Okay, so that was all fine and dandy. It really was, because my boss covered a lot of good stuff and I got a chance to meet my co-workers. Or, the ones I didn’t already know from working here this past Summer.

I had fifteen minutes between the meeting and supper so I headed back to my dorm to say a final goodbye to Mom and the girls before they left to go pick up Dad who had a meeting with my Pastor this afternoon. They showed me where they’d put everything and I discovered that Kenna had bought me some cutesy little magnets for my refrigerator. I had remarked earlier that I wished I had thought to buy some magnets for the fridge to make it more homey and Kenna had gone out while I was at work just to buy me some! She’s so awesome, I love her to pieces!

They loaded my fridge full of Vitamin Water and Starbucks Frappachino’s to my surprise and delight. My new Bubble clock with its seemingly one-hundred and one flickering lights was plugged in beside my laptop on my desk in the corner and my room smelled of Caramel Cream and Bliss Febreeze. They had done everything within their power to make my new room feel like home and I was so very thankful. God has blessed me with a fantastic family and I love them!

For those of you who don’t already know . . . I adore Febreeze with a passion! J

By this time, it was getting close to Dinner so I hugged and kissed them goodbye, snapped a few pictures and walked them to the Van. I walked to the kitchen, never looking back as they left the parking lot. In my opinion, that is the ONLY way to do it. It was like I’d see them sometime soon, rather than months down the road.

I sat with Danielle, a girl who lives next door to me. She and I instantly clicked, maybe its because we both share the same name? I don’t know, but she’s a really nice girl. She comes from a family of five, I come from a family of six. We’re both the oldest of all the kids and love taking care of our siblings. Okay, so basically you’re just starting to see a few similarities of why we became friends so easily. Thank the Lord for the way He works things out, because I am also in the same dorm as some friends I worked with this past Summer for Camp Barnabas.

After supper, Danielle and I came back to my room and crashed for something close to an hour and a half. She sat on one bed and I sat on mine, and we just talked and laughed, getting to know one another a bit better. It was nice. About eight-something, she went to her room to finish unpacking and I decided to call Mom and Dad. Dad answered the phone and we laughed over his funny phone message where he had pretended to be sniffing and crying his way through the whole thing. Typical Daddy — always awesome and super fantastic!

I got off the phone, organized a few things and walked aimlessly around my room feeling somewhat lonely. There are some people staying in the guest rooms that are located on the back end of my dorm, the entrance to both rooms is just outside my window so I watched them come and go as they unloaded their suitcases and such. Noticing the latch on my window, I went over to it and spun it around. It unlocked with ease and I lifted the window closest to my desk.

A funny little bird was chirping noisily in the tree outside my window and the night critters were just beginning to fill the air with comforting sounds I’d hear back home.

So here I sit, in front of my computer at my tiny wooden desk in the corner of my room. Listening to the sounds of cows mooing, night creatures and that tiny bird. My little clock is sitting on the desk beside me, changing colors in a slow methodic fashion. Perhaps if I’m bored at some point I will count the different shades of blues, greens, pinks, orange, and purples.

For now though, I think I will grab a Vitamin Water from the fridge and listen to my cows. Call me crazy if you will, but I grew up listening to cows almost every day of my life. Now they are yet another link to home for me and I have claimed them (or at least the sound of them) for my own.

I look back on this day and sigh in relief. Day one down and who knows how many more to go but I have made it thus far and know God will grant me wisdom, grace and strength to continue. I’m excited about starting work tomorrow, I hear we have yet another staff meeting but we’ll also have eight to ten hour days until Tuesday when our regular schedules will take effect.

I have yet to set my alarm which will become a vital part of my new life, so I’d better take a break for now and go figure it out. You know how new clocks are . . . The same as watches. Only slightly more complicated, of course! J

Home Away From Home

  Wow, its Saturday already! And not only is it Saturday, its also August 15th.  I’m trying to figure out just where all my time has flown to. Just last week, my cousin remarked “I don’t know where time has gone, but I think I’d like to go there.”  My sentiments exactly!

   I’ve had a terrific Summer, which will officially end this Monday. Mom, Dad, the girls and I arrived in Shelby about two o’clock yesterday afternoon. We grabbed some lunch at Subway after an uneventful, and rather enjoyable trip. As we were sitting there eating, Mom looked over at me and smiled. “Welcome Home, Brit.”

  I smiled weakly, I wasn’t sure how this whole moving thing was going to turn out. I’m the type of person that would prefer not to discuss things and just silently ponder them in my head. My motto is Hacuna Mattadaso any outward show of worry or stress is entirely against my nature. Maybe its my human pride but I like to have everything planned out and not have a whole bunch of unknowns all pelter me at once; I like to at least LOOK  like I’ve got things under control, not freaking out like the next person.

Since we’re trading houses with some friends of ours who are in Virginia this week, we killed some time and went to the Cleveland Mall. The Shoe Lover in me was absolutely heartbroken to find that the mall held no Shoe Haven for me . . . I’m talking Payless, people. I went shopping with Nicky the other day and we found some really cute shoes. Why I didn’t get them right then and there I will never know, but now I have the delicioustask of knocking myself over the head because there was no Payless to be found and the half a dozen Shoe Dept. in Shelby just don’t have them! oh well, we shall cry over spilled milk later. hee hee

  So we did some shopping and then went to our friends house and crashed. They left us the WiFi code much to my delight and a stack of DVD’s to entertain ourselves. The girls pulled out Madagascar 2 and we laughed our way through the movie. We’re accustomed to watching the Penguins of Madagascar which is outrageously funny so we of course, loved it!

   About six-thirty, we all got up and got ready for Reformer’s Unamimous. Some of our friends run it and we had gone before when we had visited NC so we decided to go last night to help out. They ended up needing a pianist so I filled in and thankfully, everything went rather smoothly. After finishing up the opening songs for them, the girls and I headed over to where the kids and a few of our friends were watching a movie.

    After that, we ran to the store and then went to our friend’s house for a late snack and ended up staying until something to Two in the morning. But it was so much fun getting together and catching up even if we did stay late. If nothing else, they will be the one thing that make college life absolutely fantastic! They’re like family away from home.

  I ended up staying up until something to four this morning, uploading pictures to Facebook. After living with dial-up, I am totally taking advantage of the high speed here! So after everybody was up and going this morning, we went to grab some lunch and do some shopping in Gastonia. To my delight, I found a Payless, American Eagle and an Aeropostale in the mall. I didn’t end up finding those super cute shoes that I had picked up the other day but I was happy to find that some of my favorite stores were within in twenty-five minutes of the college. Not half bad when one is used to living in the Boonedocks and driving thirty minutes to the nearest mall.

   Shelby doesn’t have any Starbucks, unlike Charlottesville and its four or five. But it has an interesting variety of Coffee shops and cute Restaurants. This is my new home for the next four years and I’m finding it to my liking, in all honesty. It isn’t the teensy, tiny town of Scottsville where everybody knows everybody and all the stores are within walking distance. It isn’t Charlottesville with its liberalism, FIVE Starbucks all in close proximity to one another, and my family within close driving distance. But its Home away from Home and I’ll make the best of everything that is thrown my way, good or bad.

   My storage containers are stacked in the living room of the house we’re staying at and I’m half anticipating, half dreading moving in to the dorm this Monday. I can’t wait to put the sheets on my bed, and finish it all off with my down comforter and sage green and cream quilt. With my special teddy bear, all my things organized in the plastic drawers, dresser and closet it will feel like home. Well, almost but not quite. And that will be just dandy!

Announcement

   Hey Everybody! I apologize for not posting in weeks. I’ve  probably had one of the absolute craziest Summers yet. Its been one thing right after the next and now I spend all my time working and getting ready to head to College. The plans have changed somewhat and I’ll be arriving in Shelby, NC on the 14th of August.  I’m so excited to be finally preparing for school. I don’t know that I will be able to resume blogging once I get there but I will do my best. For now, I’ve got a pile of College Stuff  lined up against the wall in my room and its steadily growing. Everything I’m not used to buying for a single person. All the boring things that MOM usually buys; things I never really think about. Laundry detergent, Shampoo, Laundry Hampers . . . the list goes on and on. I’ve lived eighteen years of my life using these kinds of things every single day and yet it suddenly hit me the other day that I’ll be the one buying them from now on. Um, that thought could be slightly exciting, right?

   Well, if you’re not entirely thrilled with the prospect of buying all the above necessities, how does funky *super cute* binders, new clothes, and everything you can convince Mom you absolutely NEED sound? No worries, my friends, I’m sharing the load too.

   I’m looking forward to spending my last weekend with Mom and Dad in Shelby. We’re going to stay at a Friend’s house while they’re gone so we have a few days to do any extra shopping and visit with old friends. Then I’ll go to work and start school the week after that.

 Until then, I wish you all the best remainder of your Summer!

Announcement

I won’t be posting this weekend, as we have company in for the 4th of July and I’ll be keeping quite busy. I wish everyone a happy 4th of July weekend.

 Keep in mind, what this weekend is all about. Don’t get so caught up in all the cookouts, fireworks, parades, candy and all-out celebrations that you forget to thank God for the Freedom you enjoy. We are truly blessed to live in America!

  One day, we may lose our FREEDOM. We need to keep our Country, as well as our leaders, in prayer. Never take for granted everything that surrounds you. Your home. Your Family. Your Country. Your Freedom.

                                                                   

                                                                     Happy 4th, Everyone!

Finding True Joy

  Do a study on the word JOY. You will find that the word joy is found 167 times in God’s word. The word joy is often coupled with music, the playing of the instruments, gladness, and praise.

    Write down and memorize your favorite verses on joy. God’s word is effectual. As you read, memorize verses on joy, and ponder the word joy in God’s word, real joy will begin to be worked in your heart.

A Smile That Shines

   This morning, I pulled out Created to be His Help Meet and was inspired yet again. I consider myself to be a rather smiley person. My motto is Hacuna Matada — no worries, no cares. No matter how hard or difficult a task or situation seems to be, there IS (believe it or not) a brighter side! The hard work is just in finding that brighter side. You know, you’re not the only one who has it bad here, lots of people have to deal with tough things everyday but if everybody let themselves get down the world would be an extremely gloomy and dull place to exist.

   Proverbs 15:13  says  “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.”

   Proverbs 17:22 says “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.”

   Everyone is drawn to a smile. Who and what you are is reflected in your face. The heart attitude will always come shining through no matter if you’d like it to or not — good or bad. I once heard someone say that what’s in your heart is on your face.

   As much as I smile and try to make the best of every situation, I had to stop and think to myself. Do people see me as a happy, thankful person? Within a matter of minutes I found myself examining my life and determining how I could do better. And since we’re here, you may be smiling on the outside but if you’re not joyful on the inside too you may fool others but there’s no fooling yourself. Have you ever heard anybody say of another person that the smile just reached their eyes? That person was probably joyful inside and when they smiled it even showed in their eyes. The whole countenance of a person can be consumed with joy and WILL bubble out, believe me.

   Now, I’m not saying that you won’t ever be sad, angry, hurt or dissapointed. Sometimes, I come home from work feeling too tired to smile. But as Christians, we do have more to find Joy in than most people around us.

   Applying this to the future, as far as dating and marriage are concerned, Mrs. Pearl asked a question that actually made me smile. It was kind of a sweet thing to think about, that I haven’t really considered even though its just simple musings. She said, “Does he see you as a happy, thankful woman? Does he find himself smiling when he looks at you, amused at the cheerful little grin on your face and completely delighted in the way you think and the things you say — even the dumb things?”

    Mrs. Pearl encourages establishing a new habit — What else can I do to make him smile? Learn to charm him with your mischievous only for him grin. And never demand that he love and cherish you just because he ought to! Earn every smile and shared moment.

    I haven’t really given SO much thought, but even a smile goes a long way. I want to please my husband that God will one day bless me with. I can’t wait to be there but this time of growing Spiritually and getting closer to my God is the best thing I can be doing right now.

For all you Southern Folks out there . . .

  Southern by birth or not, you should appreciate this. Every Tuesday or Wednesday our local paper The Rural Virginian is distributed to surrounding counties. Filled with ads and the usual helpful information — not to mention a big push for all the small local business in the area — the paper also contains an article called “Don’t Get Me Started” by Langden Mason.

  This week’s article:

                     

                 Family Functions Often Add Fuel To The Fire

 

   When the days get hot and hazy and you can barely breath outside because the humidity is as thick as Albemarle red clay, Southerners tend to do something a bit crazy. Instead of staying indoors and reading a book recommended by Oprah Winfrey or watching our favorite fishing show, we decide  to not only spend an afternoon in the backyard in the sweltering heat, but we feel inclined to invite a good portion of the family tree to join us. That’s right. It’s time for the all-American backyard barbeque with the kinfolk.

   Now first of all, a lot of families are already as volatile as a gas leak in a cigar shop, but add a  little heat and humidity , an old family grudge and some indigestion and you’ve got a recipe for an interesting afternoon.

   Overall, our families are pretty normal — by Southern Standards. But like all families, there are those member who tend to cause a ruckus that gives the rest of us family members something to talk about. I’m not saying they carry out heinous acts; they merely participate in quirky little activities that bring no blood shed, but are quite harmful all the same.

    Unfortunately, family’s tiny incidences tend to get blown all out of proportion and, inevitably, by the ned of the barbeque one person stews, another screams, another shuts up, and finally one of them says “Come on, Harold. We’re not wanted here” and throws gravel as their Buick pulls away and nearly sideswipes the mailbox at the end of the driveway. 

    Okay, so maybe things don’t always reach the boiling point, but there is always somebody in the family that causes enough friction to make the gatherin simmer at an uncomfrtable temperature.

 It’s usually Uncle Bob who gets the ball rolling. He’s the male relative who is the expert on outdoor cooking. His critical grilling can send any host or hostess over the edge.

   “Daggone it, ” he usually begins. “You got those cheap charcoat briquetts. You couldn’t get them things lit if you were in Hell with hight blowers on. Shoot, by the time you get that sucker goin’ we’ll be ready to cook a Thanksgivin turkey. That’s what’s wrong with all you young people. You never think. You never plan!”

    Oh yeah? I’m doing a little planning right now, the host contemplates. I’m planning on dragging you out of that chairs lounge and beating the heck out of you as only a young person can.

    “I see you’re gonna try an’ cook those burger and dogs right on the grill’s rack without puttin’ foil on it,” he adds. “You”ll be sorry. They’re gonna drop right down through the slits and into your charcoal. It takes no time at all tro put a little foil on your grill rack and poke some holes in it. shoot, we might as well order pizza ’cause all the ground  beef will be sizzlin’ down in the charcoal. Of course you don’t have a thing worry about ’cause you’ll never get those cheap briquettes lit any time this year.”

    As the host considers tossing Uncle Bob through the slits in the grill rack, Old Aunt Abigail continues her loud talking to anyone who will listen. Old Aunt Abigail is the member in the family who insists she can hear just bit rarely answers her front foor because she is watching “The Young and the Restless” with the sound on her television turned up so loud the tea cups in her dining room hutch are rattling as they would during a major earthquake.

  She enjoys narrating the entrances of each family memer into the backyward barbeque. Thinking the whole time that she is merely whispering, she lets half the town know what’s goingon in our young and restless family.

  “Would you look at sweet little Cindy” Old Aunt Abigail announces as Cindy gets out of her car. “She looks like a cow. I betcha she’s put on fifty pounds. Is she pregnant? I don’t wanna be the one to ask on account I don’t wanna embarrass her.”

  Of course sweet little Cindy has turned beet red since she has heard the whole thing still standing in the driveway.

  “Would you look at Andy’s hair,” she continues. “When did he become an Elvis impersonator? He looks like a clown with those stupid sideburns. Somebody outghta tell him to see a barber. I don’t wanna get in his business, though.”

   “I’ll get one first thing Monday mornin’, deaf lady,” Andy yells angrily from the driveway.

    “Not bad at all, ” Old Aunt Abigail answers him. “And how are you, dear?”

     A little while later, the last guests arrive. “Well here comes my wonderful son Billy Lin’ and his rent-a-tramp wife Bernice. Can’t believe he took her back aftter findin’ her and her therapist together at the Monticello Motel. He needs to put her in a pillow case qith a cinder block and throw her butt in the river like a cat. Then he’d be done with her.”

  Of course the rest of the family had heard nothing of this incident. Neither had the neighbors. But everybody knows now. After the grill had suprisingly lit up and Old Aunt Abigail had poped down, there are plenty of other family members left to add stress to the occasion.

  There is Cousin Keith who is training for the Boston Marathon. He spends the afternoon giving everyone how little he eats, how far he runs and how firm his stomach is. Someone be sure to give that guy a box of Twinkies for Christmas, ya’ll hear?

  Cousin Russel’s wife complains about her ailments from the time she arrives until the time she aches her way to the car. From the voices she hears in her head to the bunions and corns on her feet, she is such a joy to be around. Bless her Heart.

   Aunt Shirle is the one who irritates everybody by staying busy snapping photos of everything under the sun. When the adrenaline starts flwoing in her photo snapping finger, the bathroom isn’t even a safe haven.

   Last but not least, there are the two family members who have been holding a grudge for so long that not a soul can remember when it began. Aunt Barb and Aunt Beulah have been feuding for years. Some say it was over a man. Others say it was over some money a great uncle left them that somehow never got fairly distributed. Others of us know it all started over fifteen years ago when they both showed up at the same family reunion with the same three bean casserole they both insisted was an original recipe. Old Aunt Abigail swore it was a back issue of Southern Living.

   Anyway, it seems that Aunt Barb left with a clean disah while Aunt Beulah had to leave in shame with one-fourth of her casserole remaining in her Pyrex. Aunt Barb now brings that daggone three bean casserole to every get-together. Aunt Beulah opts for potato salad.

  So are you planning on getting together with family this upcoming Fourth of July weekend? You might want to consider Oprah’s recommended book list or taking in a fishing show on cable instead. Otherwise, at least start off on a good foot by paying a little extra for thos Quick Lighting Charcoal Briquettes.  

 

Getting Serious with God

    Locate in the Bible (King James Version) the following words or traits as they relate to a woman of God today. Write them down and ask God to work these attributes into your life and cement them into your character.

•   Virtue
• Graciousnes
• Wisdom
• Prudence
• Goodness

  “A Virtuous Woman is a Crown to her Husband.” ~ Proverbs 12:4

The Best Wife that I can Be.

  As many of you know, I’m not dating. But yesterday, I picked up a book by Debi Pearl entitled Created to Be His Help Meet. While I’m waiting, I thought it would be a good idea to make the most of these next few years.

                                                 

  This morning, I finished the Introduction and First Chapter. I have incorporated it into my Devotions and found it really helpful. The first thing that really hit me this morning was:

   ~ No matter how much better I think I can do something myself, it is my husband’s role as the leader of our home to do what needs to be done. It is better for him to do something poorly (in my opinion) than for me to assume the role of leader. God put the husband in the marriage to LEAD, not FOLLOW. Women love to be controlling but they just need to step back and let their husband’s take care of things.

  I am a perfectionist. In the past year or so, I have attempted to become less crazed about anything short of Perfection. Honestly, I think I have found a happy balance. I don’t have to make people miserable because something is out of place and bothering me terribly, I can enjoy the simple — sometimes slightly out of order — course of life.

  Note:  This doesn’t mean, however, that the wife is Inferior. Both husband and wife have their God-given roles in the home and need to accept it.

  When I become a wife, I want to be the best wife that I can be. I want to encourage my husband, be his perfect help meet. Mrs. Pearl asked a simple, yet powerful question in her book. She said, “If God has already made a perfect help meet for your husband, then are you that help meet?” What she meant by this was that if God had designed a woman just for your husband that would be everything he needed, and you had to shake your head sadly in the negative that you needed to surrender to God and let Him have his perfect will in you until you ARE that perfect mate.

   ~ Secondly, almost like the first, I don’t always need to be giving my opinion on what is said or done. If my husband trusts and values my opinion, then he will feel that I am the one he can always turn to and confide in. No man likes to hear negativity about what he has chosen to do or feels directed by God to accomplish. I tend to be controlling at times, no thanks to my desire for perfection, so I find this entirely applicable to myself.

  ~ Thirdly, just a minor side note here . . . but a perfect help meet doesn’t need a list of chores. You may be wondering what on Earth I’m talking about. I’ll explain, in Mrs. Pearl’s own words. “If a wife’s desire is to please her husband, she will be motivated to look around the house for things that her husband would like to see done.”

  Okay, here is a point that I have argued recently — The wife is at home all day long. What has she been doing with her 8 hours? Yes, sometimes when the kids are bawling and supper isn’t ready and the wife looks frazzled to the core, the husband feels the perfect right to ask this. While the house should most definitely be in order, the wife might have been doing some hard-core cleaning/organizing. Come on, girls, you know what I’m talking about. We’ve helped our mom’s do this often enough for it to make sense!

  The thing to remember is that we have to cover all the bases; take care of the basic things at hand before digging deep to organize the silverware drawer and arrange the spice rack in alphabetical order while the floors go unswept and dirty dishes fill both sides of the sink.