Thank you to everyone for the anniversary wishes and blessings. It was pretty uneventful, which is a good thing. Last year, I took off half a day of work and we painted the floor of our attached garage. This year we had a full weekend so we didn't schedule anything super fun like that again.
The Saturday evening before our big day, we spent at the little league football game. Madolyn cheers and we have a niece and several friends kids' who play. It was a nice evening, and at the end of the game, my brother and his wife took our kids home for a sleepover. Super cool. We have the rest of the night to ourselves.
When we got in the truck to leave the ball game, realizing we were child-less, we talked about the things we could do: Go see a movie? But, it's so late. Go out to eat? Shoot, we had a nacho-fest at the game and ate in the park already. Hhhhmm...
So at 9:00 on a Saturday night, without children...we headed to Wal-Mart. Jay showed me the card and a Chicago Bears shirt that he would've bought me, and he let me just look around without hovering (that's a big issue with us shopping together). Then we decided to splurge on some ice cream at McDonald's. How pitiful is it that we chose to go to McDonald's without children begging us to go?! But they do have the cheapest ice cream...and I am the frugal bugle...We finally got home about 10:30, exhausted, and quickly tuned into The Weather Channel for the latest on Hurricane Isaac.
(You know what 'they' say, that you marry someone like your father. Jay might disagree, but more and more, he's becoming the Quackdaddy! We have watched as much hurricane coverage on The Weather Channel as possible lately...and because he has Sirius radio in his truck and there is a Weather Channel station on there, I cannot escape it.)
Sunday we went to church, enjoyed a potluck for lunch (I pretended it was in our honor) and attended the Vision meeting for our church. Again, nice surprise, Jay's parents took our kids home from the meeting...an afternoon without the kiddos. Shoot, what do we do? We thought about taking a nap because of our late night, then decided it was a waste of the day...so after watching more coverage of the hurricane on TWC, we got a load of water for the horses, Jay went for a run, we headed to town to take a walk together and picked up our kids. We returned home, and again, tuned in for the latest hurricane update.
Jay works two weekends out of the month so it was great that he had the weekend off. We didn't do anything spectacular, but we were together. No complaints. We hope to do something spectacular in three years...of course, we thought we would do something spectacular on our 15th anniversary and it slipped past. If we don't watch it, one day it will be too late for the spectacular-ness. At one point Saturday evening (and many times while watching The Weather Channel), it dawned on me that we must be getting old...Dang it.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Delivering milk
Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:3 (NIV)
Today during my visit with my grandma over my lunch hour, we started on one topic (old houses in Martinsville) and it lead to another topic (delivering milk in the '30s). Can you understand now how sometimes I get side-tracked?
As we talked, I was mentally taking notes, trying to ask questions, get a little more detail...but at 94 years of age, when Grandma gets on a roll...she keeps rolling and I just let her go. But here was what I took away from our visit.
As a little background, my grandma was one of five children and she was the only daughter (her poor brothers!) They lived on a farm just north of town. I always knew they had livestock and a farm, but I had never heard Grandma mention milk before. Part of that could be because my grandpa's family had a country grocery store near Allright, Illinois south of Martinsville. So if she's ever told me about milk, I might have thought it was after she married my grandpa and related to his family's store.
Anyway, we were talking about a house that had burnt down in town last fall and she told me about the Hainley family who lived there a long, long time ago. They owned the grocery store in Martinsville on the north side of the downtown on the west end (ha, there she goes with directions again;) near where Sinclair Implement was. She told me that her family provided all the milk to that grocery store for a while.
She described how picky her mother, Jess, was and how she would not let anyone touch those milk bottles because she did not want even a speck of dirt touching them. The boys were not allowed to mess with them. And one time when Jess and Ernie had to go north for three days, grandma and her friend, Jane, were in charge of the milk and getting it to the grocery store. Jess trusted grandma to be very careful and not let any speck of dirt get near those milk bottles.
After the milk was retrieved from their milk cows, it was thoroughly strained. She said they did not have good strainers back then so her mother used very clean cloths or pieces of material or fabric, putting one on top of another, to strain the milk because she did not want anything, not even a speck, to be left in their milk. (I can see where my grandma gets some of her little quirks.)
After their 'contract' ended with the grocery store, they ran a milk route in town. At one point she said they had as many as 50 customers. Grandma described how one of her brothers would drive the car and she or one of the other brothers would hop out and leave the milk. She said that at almost every stop, the milk bottle from the day before was cleaned and on the step or porch waiting to be exchanged. I asked how often they ran the route...every evening. Talk about a commitment! They delivered the milk in quart-sized milk jars similar to the one shown above. And of course, they were to be very careful with the jars so as not to get them dirty.
As we were talking, she stopped and I could tell something had popped into her head. She remembered that around the time of World War II when they were running the milk route, people were putting their Christmas trees outside on their porches and decorating them with lights and everything and it made the route kind of special during that time because they got to see all the different Christmas trees.
So that's the story of my grandma and her family delivering milk. It might be old news to the rest of my family and cousins, but it was interesting to me, and as soon as she started talking, I knew I wanted to write about it.
I love the scripture referenced above, it is one of my favorites...I realize in the context of the text in Joel, they're talking about an invasion of locusts, but I think it can apply to many things. It's good to learn about our ancestors and our history. It's interesting and, you know, it could come in handy one of these days...
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:3 (NIV)
As we talked, I was mentally taking notes, trying to ask questions, get a little more detail...but at 94 years of age, when Grandma gets on a roll...she keeps rolling and I just let her go. But here was what I took away from our visit.
As a little background, my grandma was one of five children and she was the only daughter (her poor brothers!) They lived on a farm just north of town. I always knew they had livestock and a farm, but I had never heard Grandma mention milk before. Part of that could be because my grandpa's family had a country grocery store near Allright, Illinois south of Martinsville. So if she's ever told me about milk, I might have thought it was after she married my grandpa and related to his family's store.
Anyway, we were talking about a house that had burnt down in town last fall and she told me about the Hainley family who lived there a long, long time ago. They owned the grocery store in Martinsville on the north side of the downtown on the west end (ha, there she goes with directions again;) near where Sinclair Implement was. She told me that her family provided all the milk to that grocery store for a while.
She described how picky her mother, Jess, was and how she would not let anyone touch those milk bottles because she did not want even a speck of dirt touching them. The boys were not allowed to mess with them. And one time when Jess and Ernie had to go north for three days, grandma and her friend, Jane, were in charge of the milk and getting it to the grocery store. Jess trusted grandma to be very careful and not let any speck of dirt get near those milk bottles.
After the milk was retrieved from their milk cows, it was thoroughly strained. She said they did not have good strainers back then so her mother used very clean cloths or pieces of material or fabric, putting one on top of another, to strain the milk because she did not want anything, not even a speck, to be left in their milk. (I can see where my grandma gets some of her little quirks.)
After their 'contract' ended with the grocery store, they ran a milk route in town. At one point she said they had as many as 50 customers. Grandma described how one of her brothers would drive the car and she or one of the other brothers would hop out and leave the milk. She said that at almost every stop, the milk bottle from the day before was cleaned and on the step or porch waiting to be exchanged. I asked how often they ran the route...every evening. Talk about a commitment! They delivered the milk in quart-sized milk jars similar to the one shown above. And of course, they were to be very careful with the jars so as not to get them dirty.
As we were talking, she stopped and I could tell something had popped into her head. She remembered that around the time of World War II when they were running the milk route, people were putting their Christmas trees outside on their porches and decorating them with lights and everything and it made the route kind of special during that time because they got to see all the different Christmas trees.
So that's the story of my grandma and her family delivering milk. It might be old news to the rest of my family and cousins, but it was interesting to me, and as soon as she started talking, I knew I wanted to write about it.
I love the scripture referenced above, it is one of my favorites...I realize in the context of the text in Joel, they're talking about an invasion of locusts, but I think it can apply to many things. It's good to learn about our ancestors and our history. It's interesting and, you know, it could come in handy one of these days...
Monday, August 27, 2012
This and that
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| Early in the summer...when the grass was still green. |
First off, Lane having good 'ole fashion fun without his Wii, Nintendo DS, iPod, the television, a motorized vehicle, etc. He actually found something to do without any of the above! Water and dirt was all that was required!
 |
| Like a roller coaster - no hands! |
I love it when he finds stuff like this to do...except I was super nervous he would break an ankle. Sometimes it's better for mom not to watch, you know. Good to see those Tonka trucks he's outgrown being put to good use too! Little messy, but nothing a hose didn't fix.
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| The year of the Under Armour clothing |
I was with it this year and wrapped her presents so that she would have some to open on her actual birthday. It killed her knowing they were in the back of the truck and she couldn't touch them. Ha.
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| Neat cupcake carrier Grandma Barbara found. |
Funny thing, in the chaos of trying to pack everything and get food organized, etc, I put the cupcakes in the oven to bake, turned around to clean up my kitchen mess and saw the 1/3 cup of oil on the counter...oops. Guess what? No one noticed. They were a healthier version! And sitting in the heat for two days gave them some extra moisture :)
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| Yum-yum |
We're not sure why, but all of a sudden this past week, Hank went on a destruction spree and chewed up Lane's good boots and a brand-new pool floatie thing I bought for my niece and nephew to use at our house. I guess we had wrongly assumed that he may be over that destructive phase. Wrong-o. He did make it past his first birthday though - Wahoo!
You know Jay always teases me about how big my nostrils are when I flare them. I guess in this picture of Hank & I, "My, what big nostrils you have" might come to mind. It's so flattering, isn't it?
Friday, August 24, 2012
Happy together...
Seventeen short years ago on August 26, 1995, two youngsters got married...I was one of them. I still cannot believe that it's been 17 years. That really makes us sound like we're old, and I know we are not!
I know this picture isn't great, but it's a picture of the picture in a frame in my bedroom. When I look at Jay in our wedding pictures, he looks so young! And how do you like my hair? The bigger the better was the theme at the time. At least I'd cut it off or it would've certainly covered Jay's little face.
I loved the wedding dress that my mother-in-law made; I loved my bouquet that we put together with artificial flowers we bought from a floral/craft shop in downtown Effingham. I'm even wearing lace arm covering thingys. Can you see them?
A few weeks ago Jay was an usher at his cousin's wedding. I figured Jay wouldn't be in a tuxedo again anytime soon so getting a picture together was a must. I thought it came out pretty good and we finally look like we're old enough to be married;)
We have had a blessed life together. God has entrusted us with two beautiful children and many, many animals. (I think He's lost all control with the animal situation.) We have worked hard for 17 years, starting out living in a two-bedroom trailer with me trying to finish school to building our 'dream' house and having a little animal farm so-to-speak. We only have things to be thankful for, and I'm looking forward to 17 more years with my BFF.
Jay and I have said many times we're sure that no one out there could put up with the other, so we better just stick this thing out. As the Turtles sang out as we walked down the aisle 17 years ago, we are so Happy Together.
 |
| That was then... |
I loved the wedding dress that my mother-in-law made; I loved my bouquet that we put together with artificial flowers we bought from a floral/craft shop in downtown Effingham. I'm even wearing lace arm covering thingys. Can you see them?
 |
| and this is now. |
A few weeks ago Jay was an usher at his cousin's wedding. I figured Jay wouldn't be in a tuxedo again anytime soon so getting a picture together was a must. I thought it came out pretty good and we finally look like we're old enough to be married;)
We have had a blessed life together. God has entrusted us with two beautiful children and many, many animals. (I think He's lost all control with the animal situation.) We have worked hard for 17 years, starting out living in a two-bedroom trailer with me trying to finish school to building our 'dream' house and having a little animal farm so-to-speak. We only have things to be thankful for, and I'm looking forward to 17 more years with my BFF.
Jay and I have said many times we're sure that no one out there could put up with the other, so we better just stick this thing out. As the Turtles sang out as we walked down the aisle 17 years ago, we are so Happy Together.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Losing & Forgiveness
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Two of my favorite songs right now are on the same subject...I'm not sure if that's a little Godstop for Sarah or just happenstance...either way, I love them both. I have put links (if I did it right) to hear the songs I'm quoting in this post. The first song is Losing by Tenth Avenue North. This is off their new album recently released. It's a must-have for the Wilhoit's...we LOVE Tenth Avenue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgILBGcavQ&feature=related
Here are some of the lyrics from that song, "Losing."
"Well, I can't believe what she said. I can't believe what he did. Oh, don't they know it's wrong? Don't they know it's wrong? Maybe there's something I missed. How could they treat me like this? It's wearing out my heart, the way they disregard."
(Chorus) "This is love, this is hate. We all have a choice to make. Oh, father, won't you forgive them, they don't know what they were doing. Oh, father, give me grace to forgive them 'cause I feel like the one losing."
"It's only the dead that can live, but still I wrestle with this, to lose the pain that's mine, seventy times seven times. 'Cause, Lord, it doesn't feel right for me to turn a blind eye, but I guess it's not that much when I think of what you've done."
There's more to the song, but I really like the first two verses. And how true it is that if you are holding onto something or refusing to forgive someone...you are the one who loses. A lot of times the other person may not even realize how much whatever it was hurt you...so they're not losing sleep over it. Only you. It's always easier said than done, but you just have to give it to God and let it go or you will be the one losing...
The other new song is by Matthew West. He is one of my favorite songwriters, and he's a pretty good singer too. This song, "Forgiveness," is one that he wrote about a woman that had written him a letter telling him her story of forgiveness. Her daughter had been killed by a drunk driver. She ended up not only completely forgiving him, but more. If you have time, watch the link to hear the story. (It kind of goes on, but the first half is the main story behind the song.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9KI4grxLcY
Below are the lyrics to "Forgiveness." They are amazing too...
"It's the hardest thing to give away and the last thing on your mind today. It always goes to those that don't deserve. It's the opposite of how you feel when the pain they cause is just too real. Takes everything you have to say the word - Forgiveness..."
"It flies in the face of all your pride, moves away the mad inside. It's always anger's own worst enemy. Even when the jury and the judge say you got a right to hold a grudge, it's the whisper in your ear saying Set it Free - Forgiveness..."
(Chorus) "Show me how to love the unlovable. Show me how to reach the unreachable. Help me now to do the impossible - Forgiveness, Forgiveness. Help me now to do the impossible - Forgiveness."
"It will clear the bitterness away. It can even set a prisoner free. There is no end to what its power can do. Let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace. The prisoner that it really frees is you - Forgiveness..."
"I want to finally set it free. Show me how to see what your mercy sees. Help me now to give what you gave to me - Forgiveness..."
Aren't those awesome words? That is some major forgiveness. When thinking about this woman, I couldn't help but think that she must have tons of good 'ole Jesus Love in her heart. Love and forgiveness certainly go hand in hand. I don't think you can fully forgive someone without having lots of love in your heart. And I'd say, it really needs to be that good 'ole Jesus Love in there.
I hope if you're struggling right now with something or someone you need to forgive, or even if you feel like you're the one that needs forgiveness, that you will be encouraged by these songs and this amazing story about Renee...and find that forgiveness so you can be set free.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Two of my favorite songs right now are on the same subject...I'm not sure if that's a little Godstop for Sarah or just happenstance...either way, I love them both. I have put links (if I did it right) to hear the songs I'm quoting in this post. The first song is Losing by Tenth Avenue North. This is off their new album recently released. It's a must-have for the Wilhoit's...we LOVE Tenth Avenue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgILBGcavQ&feature=related
Here are some of the lyrics from that song, "Losing."
"Well, I can't believe what she said. I can't believe what he did. Oh, don't they know it's wrong? Don't they know it's wrong? Maybe there's something I missed. How could they treat me like this? It's wearing out my heart, the way they disregard."
(Chorus) "This is love, this is hate. We all have a choice to make. Oh, father, won't you forgive them, they don't know what they were doing. Oh, father, give me grace to forgive them 'cause I feel like the one losing."
"It's only the dead that can live, but still I wrestle with this, to lose the pain that's mine, seventy times seven times. 'Cause, Lord, it doesn't feel right for me to turn a blind eye, but I guess it's not that much when I think of what you've done."
There's more to the song, but I really like the first two verses. And how true it is that if you are holding onto something or refusing to forgive someone...you are the one who loses. A lot of times the other person may not even realize how much whatever it was hurt you...so they're not losing sleep over it. Only you. It's always easier said than done, but you just have to give it to God and let it go or you will be the one losing...
The other new song is by Matthew West. He is one of my favorite songwriters, and he's a pretty good singer too. This song, "Forgiveness," is one that he wrote about a woman that had written him a letter telling him her story of forgiveness. Her daughter had been killed by a drunk driver. She ended up not only completely forgiving him, but more. If you have time, watch the link to hear the story. (It kind of goes on, but the first half is the main story behind the song.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9KI4grxLcY
Below are the lyrics to "Forgiveness." They are amazing too...
"It's the hardest thing to give away and the last thing on your mind today. It always goes to those that don't deserve. It's the opposite of how you feel when the pain they cause is just too real. Takes everything you have to say the word - Forgiveness..."
"It flies in the face of all your pride, moves away the mad inside. It's always anger's own worst enemy. Even when the jury and the judge say you got a right to hold a grudge, it's the whisper in your ear saying Set it Free - Forgiveness..."
(Chorus) "Show me how to love the unlovable. Show me how to reach the unreachable. Help me now to do the impossible - Forgiveness, Forgiveness. Help me now to do the impossible - Forgiveness."
"It will clear the bitterness away. It can even set a prisoner free. There is no end to what its power can do. Let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace. The prisoner that it really frees is you - Forgiveness..."
"I want to finally set it free. Show me how to see what your mercy sees. Help me now to give what you gave to me - Forgiveness..."
Aren't those awesome words? That is some major forgiveness. When thinking about this woman, I couldn't help but think that she must have tons of good 'ole Jesus Love in her heart. Love and forgiveness certainly go hand in hand. I don't think you can fully forgive someone without having lots of love in your heart. And I'd say, it really needs to be that good 'ole Jesus Love in there.
I hope if you're struggling right now with something or someone you need to forgive, or even if you feel like you're the one that needs forgiveness, that you will be encouraged by these songs and this amazing story about Renee...and find that forgiveness so you can be set free.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
a little tip...
Last week my brother's email account was hacked and it sent out an email to everyone in their contact list asking for money because they were stuck in Spain, or something to that effect...I didn't open it. That is just what I gleaned from the subject line. And if you didn't know whether or not they were traveling, you may just believe it. My brother and his wife have done some traveling with a soybean group and have been out of the country a couple times so it's not entirely unbelievable.
Both my brother and sister-in-law texted me about this over the weekend. My kids heard me talking about it and asked what it meant. You should've seen their faces when I told them that there are really 'smart' people out there who break into people's email accounts and try to get their friends to send money or steal other personal information they may be able to use to get into a person's financial accounts. What? Yes, kiddos, there are people out there using their talents for evilness! It is so ridiculous...and frustrating! You could tell they were puzzled and didn't get it...neither do I.
Along with the soliciting email, this hacker or virus erased their entire contact list! Ahh. I can't imagine losing all of my email addresses. A similar incident happened to a friend a few years ago, and after that, I went in my contact list and printed it out. I now store it in my address folder at work for safe-keeping. I figure if that ever happens to me, I will at least have a list of the email addresses I had at the time I printed them.
I have heard before that if something like this happens with Facebook, you should change your password right away. I really don't know if this is true, but it can't hurt. In fact, I now change my password every now and then just in case...but I wonder if now that they have all of those addresses, if you should go ahead and change your password because maybe they are working on getting into those email accounts? Sorry, I'm not trying to cause paranoia, I'm just kind of thinking out loud on this one.
So my little tip for you is to take a few moments and print out your contact list. Store it away for safekeeping. You never know when someone, with obviously too much time on their hands, will decide to hack into your email account!
Both my brother and sister-in-law texted me about this over the weekend. My kids heard me talking about it and asked what it meant. You should've seen their faces when I told them that there are really 'smart' people out there who break into people's email accounts and try to get their friends to send money or steal other personal information they may be able to use to get into a person's financial accounts. What? Yes, kiddos, there are people out there using their talents for evilness! It is so ridiculous...and frustrating! You could tell they were puzzled and didn't get it...neither do I.
Along with the soliciting email, this hacker or virus erased their entire contact list! Ahh. I can't imagine losing all of my email addresses. A similar incident happened to a friend a few years ago, and after that, I went in my contact list and printed it out. I now store it in my address folder at work for safe-keeping. I figure if that ever happens to me, I will at least have a list of the email addresses I had at the time I printed them.
I have heard before that if something like this happens with Facebook, you should change your password right away. I really don't know if this is true, but it can't hurt. In fact, I now change my password every now and then just in case...but I wonder if now that they have all of those addresses, if you should go ahead and change your password because maybe they are working on getting into those email accounts? Sorry, I'm not trying to cause paranoia, I'm just kind of thinking out loud on this one.
So my little tip for you is to take a few moments and print out your contact list. Store it away for safekeeping. You never know when someone, with obviously too much time on their hands, will decide to hack into your email account!
Monday, August 20, 2012
What do you say?
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
I must admit I'm rarely ever at a loss for words, which sometimes is to my detriment, I know. One of the things I struggle with the most is funerals. What do you say? What can I possibly say to the family standing there in the visitation line that every person in front of me hasn't said in one way or another? Sometimes I'm close with one or several of the family members and it is a little easier. Sometimes I get super lucky and the grieving family member takes care of it and breaks the ice first.
As I am waiting in the visitation line, I am usually trying to come up with something appropriate to say. It's particularly hard when the death is somewhat shocking. I have been fortunate enough in my life so far that I haven't had to be the one standing there on the receiving end. My grandparents have passed, but none of their deaths were a big surprise to us. It's always a comfort to know or (assume) that the deceased is a Christian and really is in a better place. You can go through the usual comments about heaven and seeing other relatives, etc.
One time in particular, I was super nervous about what to say. I cannot for the life of me remember whose visitation it was, but I remember that I said the absolute dumbest thing one could ever say...in response to their "thanks for coming, have a good evening" or the like, I responded "You too." As I walked away, I wanted to turn back and say, "NO, I didn't mean to say that!" It wasn't cruel or mean, but it was just stupid and perhaps, unthoughtful.
It is one of those situations where I know that nothing I offer can or will make anything better. I honestly do not have a clue how they feel and can't imagine what I could say to help. For someone who is never at a loss for words, it is pure torture. In those instances, I really try to think about what I'm going to say before I say it and pray that I don't get caught up in the moment and let something ignorant slip.
I was at a visitation last week for a community member and father of someone I went to school with. I did the usual rundown in my head as I sauntered up for my turn. The wife was super sweet (as always), and I managed to say something simple and un-stupid. I moved on to the children and their spouses, it went fine...as good as it could, you know.
We get back to Jay's parents house to pick up the kids who didn't want to go (and I learned a while back, a funeral home is not safe for my children - missing child...standing on stool overlooking casket). I run to the restroom real quick, and as I'm getting ready to pull down my slacks, I realize that my pants were completely unzipped. Of course. My guess is that no one even noticed...my hope is that no one even noticed. But all I could think of was, well, if they did, hopefully, they got a good laugh out of it.
This past weekend, in a neighboring town, two families lost children. One of the families lost a two-year-old from drowning in their pool. I simply cannot imagine their grief, their pain, their guilt and hope I don't ever have to. I'm not sure how I would handle a child's visitation or funeral. It's almost unbearable to even think about.
God mentions in the bible about being quick to listen and slow to speak. Most of you have probably heard that verse before. I know it often runs through my mind...and then right out as I sputter out something I shouldn't. But I found this verse and thought, you know, I truly intend for my words to be gracious and to offer comfort. They may not always come out that way, but that is my heart's intent. I suppose that, along with a hug or a handshake, and telling them they're in my prayers is all I can do...and maybe doublecheck my zipper.
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
I must admit I'm rarely ever at a loss for words, which sometimes is to my detriment, I know. One of the things I struggle with the most is funerals. What do you say? What can I possibly say to the family standing there in the visitation line that every person in front of me hasn't said in one way or another? Sometimes I'm close with one or several of the family members and it is a little easier. Sometimes I get super lucky and the grieving family member takes care of it and breaks the ice first.
As I am waiting in the visitation line, I am usually trying to come up with something appropriate to say. It's particularly hard when the death is somewhat shocking. I have been fortunate enough in my life so far that I haven't had to be the one standing there on the receiving end. My grandparents have passed, but none of their deaths were a big surprise to us. It's always a comfort to know or (assume) that the deceased is a Christian and really is in a better place. You can go through the usual comments about heaven and seeing other relatives, etc.
One time in particular, I was super nervous about what to say. I cannot for the life of me remember whose visitation it was, but I remember that I said the absolute dumbest thing one could ever say...in response to their "thanks for coming, have a good evening" or the like, I responded "You too." As I walked away, I wanted to turn back and say, "NO, I didn't mean to say that!" It wasn't cruel or mean, but it was just stupid and perhaps, unthoughtful.
It is one of those situations where I know that nothing I offer can or will make anything better. I honestly do not have a clue how they feel and can't imagine what I could say to help. For someone who is never at a loss for words, it is pure torture. In those instances, I really try to think about what I'm going to say before I say it and pray that I don't get caught up in the moment and let something ignorant slip.
I was at a visitation last week for a community member and father of someone I went to school with. I did the usual rundown in my head as I sauntered up for my turn. The wife was super sweet (as always), and I managed to say something simple and un-stupid. I moved on to the children and their spouses, it went fine...as good as it could, you know.
We get back to Jay's parents house to pick up the kids who didn't want to go (and I learned a while back, a funeral home is not safe for my children - missing child...standing on stool overlooking casket). I run to the restroom real quick, and as I'm getting ready to pull down my slacks, I realize that my pants were completely unzipped. Of course. My guess is that no one even noticed...my hope is that no one even noticed. But all I could think of was, well, if they did, hopefully, they got a good laugh out of it.
This past weekend, in a neighboring town, two families lost children. One of the families lost a two-year-old from drowning in their pool. I simply cannot imagine their grief, their pain, their guilt and hope I don't ever have to. I'm not sure how I would handle a child's visitation or funeral. It's almost unbearable to even think about.
God mentions in the bible about being quick to listen and slow to speak. Most of you have probably heard that verse before. I know it often runs through my mind...and then right out as I sputter out something I shouldn't. But I found this verse and thought, you know, I truly intend for my words to be gracious and to offer comfort. They may not always come out that way, but that is my heart's intent. I suppose that, along with a hug or a handshake, and telling them they're in my prayers is all I can do...and maybe doublecheck my zipper.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Hog mama?
I told you how great the state fair was; now I will tell you how bad it was. Jay spent almost every waking hour in the swine barn watching the pig shows. I enjoyed it myself, but boy, did he get the fever. We had already added two pigs to our collection earlier this spring. Madolyn showed Rick and Ruby at the 4H fair. Ruby came home to hopefully have babies sometime, and Rick went to the slaughter house. (In fact, we enjoyed some of Rick the other morning for breakfast.) We brought a friend's gilt home to keep Ruby company and I thought that was perfect. Jay disagreed.
While we watched the shows, Jay kept referring to me as a "hog mama," meaning I was going to be one of these ladies in the crowd whose kids were showing pigs and this was their life. Hmm, I was happy being a horse, goat, cat, dog, rabbit (oh, we have one of those now), cat, dwarf hamster, one-pig and two human kids mama.
Tuesday Jay and a friend went back to the state fair to the pig sale and purchased an "awesome" Duroc gilt. The friend also bought an "even-more-awesome" Duroc gilt. Lane went along and he took the pig whip he purchased last weekend. As they were loading them up, people commented on how good Lane handled the pigs. Wonderful. This boy is ate up with the pigs. He even skipped basketball open gym (which he loves) to work on pig pens. We are so in trouble. I guess it is the Bennett in him. My grandma's family was deep into the swine and showing pigs. Yeah me.
So the shed that was built about ten years ago and was probably last clean about ten years ago is now spotless. Why? Not to store our truck or tractor or mower. It is clean to build pig pens! Yes, so now as you drive up to our house, you will be greeted by the sweet aroma only pigs can create. I dearly love the smell of a horse barn, but pigs are a different story. They stink. I don't care what anyone says, a pig and their pen stinks. Will this come wafting through to my bedroom? Ahhh. I am told pigs can average about ten pigs at farrowing time. Oh my goodness, this means that very soon, we could have 20 piglets. Then will I be a piglet and hog mama? How bad will 20 piglets and two sows smell?
I know I'm sounding snooty right now, aren't I? I really did enjoy watching the pig shows, and I love it that Lane is passionate about something...I just didn't consider the fact that we would have more than two. Will we soon be the Wilhoit Pork Palace? I suppose as long as I don't have to mess with them, I'll be okay. They kind of scare me when they get big and root around and attack my feet when I try to feed them. And if you get a bunch of them squealing...oh my, it is awful!
Here is something I learned recently so I am not totally ignorant when trying to follow pig talk (as long as I've got this right): A gilt is a girl and a barrow is a boy (easy to remember with the same first letter). A gilt becomes a sow when it has babies. A boar is also a boy but one that has not been castrated or 'fixed'. It took me forever to get that a castrated boy goat is a wether. They should have made it a bether (am I genius or what?) or something easy to remember with the same first letter. The buck is the boy goat not castrated, that's easy.
After watching the Fox and the Hound so many times, a couple of years ago the kids and Jay dubbed me big mama...then sometimes added the word "stinky" to it. They really are terms of endearment, I know they love me...at least that is what I tell myself. We are all about nicknames. I'm not sure that hog mama is an improvement, although some may confuse me for a biker chic, as in a Harley "hog" mama which sounds a little tougher (I may not fit that part either). I guess either way, I am a proud mama of whatever my family is into at the time...
While we watched the shows, Jay kept referring to me as a "hog mama," meaning I was going to be one of these ladies in the crowd whose kids were showing pigs and this was their life. Hmm, I was happy being a horse, goat, cat, dog, rabbit (oh, we have one of those now), cat, dwarf hamster, one-pig and two human kids mama.
Tuesday Jay and a friend went back to the state fair to the pig sale and purchased an "awesome" Duroc gilt. The friend also bought an "even-more-awesome" Duroc gilt. Lane went along and he took the pig whip he purchased last weekend. As they were loading them up, people commented on how good Lane handled the pigs. Wonderful. This boy is ate up with the pigs. He even skipped basketball open gym (which he loves) to work on pig pens. We are so in trouble. I guess it is the Bennett in him. My grandma's family was deep into the swine and showing pigs. Yeah me.
So the shed that was built about ten years ago and was probably last clean about ten years ago is now spotless. Why? Not to store our truck or tractor or mower. It is clean to build pig pens! Yes, so now as you drive up to our house, you will be greeted by the sweet aroma only pigs can create. I dearly love the smell of a horse barn, but pigs are a different story. They stink. I don't care what anyone says, a pig and their pen stinks. Will this come wafting through to my bedroom? Ahhh. I am told pigs can average about ten pigs at farrowing time. Oh my goodness, this means that very soon, we could have 20 piglets. Then will I be a piglet and hog mama? How bad will 20 piglets and two sows smell?
I know I'm sounding snooty right now, aren't I? I really did enjoy watching the pig shows, and I love it that Lane is passionate about something...I just didn't consider the fact that we would have more than two. Will we soon be the Wilhoit Pork Palace? I suppose as long as I don't have to mess with them, I'll be okay. They kind of scare me when they get big and root around and attack my feet when I try to feed them. And if you get a bunch of them squealing...oh my, it is awful!
Here is something I learned recently so I am not totally ignorant when trying to follow pig talk (as long as I've got this right): A gilt is a girl and a barrow is a boy (easy to remember with the same first letter). A gilt becomes a sow when it has babies. A boar is also a boy but one that has not been castrated or 'fixed'. It took me forever to get that a castrated boy goat is a wether. They should have made it a bether (am I genius or what?) or something easy to remember with the same first letter. The buck is the boy goat not castrated, that's easy.
After watching the Fox and the Hound so many times, a couple of years ago the kids and Jay dubbed me big mama...then sometimes added the word "stinky" to it. They really are terms of endearment, I know they love me...at least that is what I tell myself. We are all about nicknames. I'm not sure that hog mama is an improvement, although some may confuse me for a biker chic, as in a Harley "hog" mama which sounds a little tougher (I may not fit that part either). I guess either way, I am a proud mama of whatever my family is into at the time...
Thursday, August 16, 2012
It's Back to School Time
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Jay got up with all of us and cooked pancakes and sausage for breakfast. It was nice...and they don't get that on school days normally so it was a special treat. Tomorrow it will be back to normal...cereal or toast!
When Lane came out all dressed and ready, Jay said, "I see you're wearing your best for your first day of school." To which I replied, "At least it matches!" He loves that "Don't Feed the Bears" shirt he got in Durango, Colorado...do you see the bloody claw marks across the front? Nice, isn't it? It goes well with his skull & crossbones backpack and lunch box.
I am thankful to be back in a routine...although now I have to make two stops every morning for drop-offs, but that's okay. I am so glad that I am able to take them to school each morning on my way to work. They won't be at the same school again for four years...wow, that seems like such a long time, but I know it will fly by and before long, I'll be dropping Lane off for his first day at the Junior/Senior High School.
There are pros and cons to living in a small community. I always side with the pros on this one because I am a country girl/homebody, and I appreciate the fact that my kids are safe for the most part and aren't in a swarm of hundreds of students known only by name or number. I pray that they will be respectful, maintain their integrity, work hard, and most importantly, remember to love (treat) one another as Christ loved us.
I liked the verses above because we try to encourage our kids to be their own person and make their own decisions. We have reminded them that even if you aren't the one in the group making the mean comments or doing something you know is wrong, if you are standing among them, it is assumed that you are "one of them." We remind them to think about how it would feel to be the one being made fun of or the one sitting alone with no one to talk to or play with. I can't tell you how many times I have said, "You don't have to be their best friend, but you have to be nice to them." I hope and pray that our kids set an example for others or can reach out to another who is sad or struggling.
The second verse comes to mind when one of our kids tells us they hate a subject or they "don't care" about a stupid test or assignment. We don't necessarily expect our kiddos to be straight-A students if that isn't their ability. Our beef is when we know they are capable of something and they don't put the effort forth and get a lousy grade. The verse above is a perfect reminder that they should do everything with the best of their abilities for the glory of God. That not only pleases the parents, but more importantly, it pleases God!
I am reminded of something a teacher told Jay and I several years ago at a parent/teacher conference. She was concerned that we were too hard on Madolyn, that Madolyn was scared to death to get in trouble at school. Jay and I were baffled. Yes, we told the teacher, she better be. If she gets in trouble at school, she will get in big trouble at home. Isn't that the way it is supposed to be? Or is that the problem these days? I know I was raised under the thought process. I knew the trouble I would be in at home was far worse than whatever they could do to me at school.
Just a little reminder to parents of how important school is...we have to get our kids out of the house eventually, school is the first step. We must push them through or they'll live with us forever!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Meet the Streaks
The annual tradition of Meet the Streaks is set for this Friday evening at the Martinsville High School beginning at 6:30. This is an opportunity to see the fall sports teams in action; volleyball and football teams, the band and cheerleaders will be on hand to show their stuff. This event sort of kicks-off the start of the school year and sports season for the Bluestreaks.
The Booster Club will tailgate and offer hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and a drink for $2. It used to be free, but sorry, folks, inflation! We do not offer the food as a fundraiser so we are keeping the price down to cover our costs only. The food is served after all the festivities outside.
As always, we are seeking new memberships for the Booster Club. Membership is $10 per person per school year. Last year, I/we failed miserably in recruiting members. Membership fees generate a good portion of money for the club. I encourage any Bluestreaks out there to join if possible and maybe try to encourage five others to join with you!
Here is a rundown of some of the things the Booster Club funds cover: cost of athletic equipment the school and/or team can't afford to purchase, helps kids in need with their athletic fee and possibly uniform or shoes, helps in the rotation on purchasing team uniforms. In the past couple of years we have helped purchase the football field striper, the sound system for the football field, a volleyball net, cheerleading gymnastics mats, basketball uniforms.
The past few years, the Booster Club has been in charge of putting together the fall and winter sports programs. This is not a fundraiser, but a service for our fans and spectators. We do gather sponsorships for the programs but only to help us cover the costs of making them. We have painted on the streets for Homecoming week to help build spirit. We have sold shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, yard signs, etc. We are always looking for new creative ideas for fundraising and ways to keep everyone pumped and supporting our Bluestreaks.
I urge you to join the Booster Club if you're a Bluestreak, past, present or future. It is only $10, and although you don't receive anything tangible in return, it is a small amount which adds up quickly to help when and where funds are needed.
Oh, don't forget the Bluestreak Fridays will be starting up next Friday. Wear your Bluestreak Blue every Friday to show your team spirit. Go Big Blue!
The Booster Club will tailgate and offer hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and a drink for $2. It used to be free, but sorry, folks, inflation! We do not offer the food as a fundraiser so we are keeping the price down to cover our costs only. The food is served after all the festivities outside.
As always, we are seeking new memberships for the Booster Club. Membership is $10 per person per school year. Last year, I/we failed miserably in recruiting members. Membership fees generate a good portion of money for the club. I encourage any Bluestreaks out there to join if possible and maybe try to encourage five others to join with you!
Here is a rundown of some of the things the Booster Club funds cover: cost of athletic equipment the school and/or team can't afford to purchase, helps kids in need with their athletic fee and possibly uniform or shoes, helps in the rotation on purchasing team uniforms. In the past couple of years we have helped purchase the football field striper, the sound system for the football field, a volleyball net, cheerleading gymnastics mats, basketball uniforms.
The past few years, the Booster Club has been in charge of putting together the fall and winter sports programs. This is not a fundraiser, but a service for our fans and spectators. We do gather sponsorships for the programs but only to help us cover the costs of making them. We have painted on the streets for Homecoming week to help build spirit. We have sold shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, yard signs, etc. We are always looking for new creative ideas for fundraising and ways to keep everyone pumped and supporting our Bluestreaks.
I urge you to join the Booster Club if you're a Bluestreak, past, present or future. It is only $10, and although you don't receive anything tangible in return, it is a small amount which adds up quickly to help when and where funds are needed.
Oh, don't forget the Bluestreak Fridays will be starting up next Friday. Wear your Bluestreak Blue every Friday to show your team spirit. Go Big Blue!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
By now...
you would think I might be "faired" out completely, but that is not so! Last Thursday morning, we loaded up our friend's camper and stuffed the truck full and headed to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Lane had never been; Madolyn went a few years ago with my brother's family to a concert; and it's been years since Jay and I had been other than a Mercy Me concert a couple years ago...but that didn't count since we went straight in to the concert and left. I can say that this weekend we fully experienced the Illinois State Fair.
Many years ago, Jay went with our 'extended' family, we'll call the Moonshine clan, to the state fair to show pigs and he has never forgotten that experience. I have heard countless times about camping at the state fair and how great it was, the crazy stories these guys had, how many of them were cramped into a small RV with no a/c, how by the end of the week it smelled so bad you could hardly stand it, about how nasty the shower house was, about the trip home and how the alternator kept going out, etc. These stories never die. They keep people laughing time and time again.
This year our 'extended' family invited us to join them on their state fair adventure. They had scored two camping spots at the fairgrounds. I must tell you it is nearly impossible to get camping spots these days. You just would not believe how many campers are up there and they are lined up, one after another, less than three feet apart. The lots are crammed full! But not our spots...our 'extended' family had a horse in a race and were allowed to reserve two spots and they did not hesitate to take them. They were clear on the backside of the fairgrounds behind the horse barns, but they were perfect. The queen bee "Mammie" put together sleeping assignments and made a plan...she even created a spreadsheet with meals. "Mammie" was ALL over it.
I can only imagine what it was like to see the camper door open early in the morning...one person come out, then another and another and another. I would guess anyone watching was thinking this has to be a joke. How many people are in that camper? Ha. We did it. We snuggled up tight and made it work. There was an empty horse barn nearby that provided hours of entertainment for the kiddos. We probably could've put a couple kids in a stall for bedtime, but we didn't. There was a 'slight' infestation of skunks, so we were told, but we only saw two and never had any trouble with them...which is a miracle for this group of kids.
The first camper that headed out on Wednesday had a shredded/flat tire not even an hour away from home. Thankfully, that was the worst luck of the trip and there was no accident or injury involved. Because our camper is small, we took our friend's larger camper up on Thursday morning and the rest of the group came later that evening. We had huge, delicious meals three times a day and had a good supply of drinks and snacks. Once we staked our claim on that spot, we didn't leave the grounds, for the most part, except to get ice and Jay's coffee (and maybe a trip to Target:)
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed our three days at the state fair. Our kids say it was one of their best trips ever. Because we had our own food and drinks, etc, we didn't have to buy much of anything. There are a lot of things to do on the grounds for free and it turned out to be a pretty inexpensive mini-vacation for us. Conservation World and Happy Hollow have many activities and shows available for kids and adults that are free and entertaining. I know we could have easily spent one more day catching shows we had missed.
Jay spent most of his time at the Swine shows, which I enjoyed quite a bit myself. I figure next year that is where we'll be most of the time. I know it will be a different experience when we take animals up to show and have to keep the kids focused on their projects. This year we had absolutely no responsibilities other than just taking care of the kiddos and preparing meals. It was almost completely stress-free (for me, at least). Although it's a humongous place and very crowded, I felt safe and cannot wait to go back next year and continue making memories!
Many years ago, Jay went with our 'extended' family, we'll call the Moonshine clan, to the state fair to show pigs and he has never forgotten that experience. I have heard countless times about camping at the state fair and how great it was, the crazy stories these guys had, how many of them were cramped into a small RV with no a/c, how by the end of the week it smelled so bad you could hardly stand it, about how nasty the shower house was, about the trip home and how the alternator kept going out, etc. These stories never die. They keep people laughing time and time again.
This year our 'extended' family invited us to join them on their state fair adventure. They had scored two camping spots at the fairgrounds. I must tell you it is nearly impossible to get camping spots these days. You just would not believe how many campers are up there and they are lined up, one after another, less than three feet apart. The lots are crammed full! But not our spots...our 'extended' family had a horse in a race and were allowed to reserve two spots and they did not hesitate to take them. They were clear on the backside of the fairgrounds behind the horse barns, but they were perfect. The queen bee "Mammie" put together sleeping assignments and made a plan...she even created a spreadsheet with meals. "Mammie" was ALL over it.
I can only imagine what it was like to see the camper door open early in the morning...one person come out, then another and another and another. I would guess anyone watching was thinking this has to be a joke. How many people are in that camper? Ha. We did it. We snuggled up tight and made it work. There was an empty horse barn nearby that provided hours of entertainment for the kiddos. We probably could've put a couple kids in a stall for bedtime, but we didn't. There was a 'slight' infestation of skunks, so we were told, but we only saw two and never had any trouble with them...which is a miracle for this group of kids.
The first camper that headed out on Wednesday had a shredded/flat tire not even an hour away from home. Thankfully, that was the worst luck of the trip and there was no accident or injury involved. Because our camper is small, we took our friend's larger camper up on Thursday morning and the rest of the group came later that evening. We had huge, delicious meals three times a day and had a good supply of drinks and snacks. Once we staked our claim on that spot, we didn't leave the grounds, for the most part, except to get ice and Jay's coffee (and maybe a trip to Target:)
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed our three days at the state fair. Our kids say it was one of their best trips ever. Because we had our own food and drinks, etc, we didn't have to buy much of anything. There are a lot of things to do on the grounds for free and it turned out to be a pretty inexpensive mini-vacation for us. Conservation World and Happy Hollow have many activities and shows available for kids and adults that are free and entertaining. I know we could have easily spent one more day catching shows we had missed.
Jay spent most of his time at the Swine shows, which I enjoyed quite a bit myself. I figure next year that is where we'll be most of the time. I know it will be a different experience when we take animals up to show and have to keep the kids focused on their projects. This year we had absolutely no responsibilities other than just taking care of the kiddos and preparing meals. It was almost completely stress-free (for me, at least). Although it's a humongous place and very crowded, I felt safe and cannot wait to go back next year and continue making memories!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Planting the Seed
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you set in place, what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5 (NLT)
The other evening while getting a massage, if you read my earlier post, you know that ten million thoughts were rolling around in my head. I was thinking about church camp and the kids there. It's always so hard to leave church camp and wonder how some of those kids will do upon their return home. It amazes me that so many of those kids have really crummy lives. I don't mean my-life-stinks-'cause-I-don't-have-the-latest-game-system crummy, I mean crummy real-life stuff. Adult stuff that little kids live with. Stuff I don't even want to think about at my age.
I believe there were five campers there who have had one parent commit suicide in the last two years. FIVE. Five moms or dads ended their lives forever leaving behind a child...who probably at some point will blame his or herself for it. I know we had some in foster home situations. There were a couple kids whose parents had at one point in their children's lifetimes been in prison for drugs...(and thankfully, I know that at least two of those situations have come out with a positive ending!) When I asked one little girl where her three cousins were that have been there the past three years, she told me without batting an eye, in the most matter-of-fact tone possible, that the oldest boy got in trouble for touching her in bad places. Oh my goodness.
My daughter got fairly close with a girl who lives in foster care. She cannot live with her mother and has been in two different homes this past year. I think it really blew Madolyn's mind. I reminded her that no matter how bad she thinks her life is, there are many out there with real messes. She is a lucky girl whether she wants to believe it or not.
I thought about how there are some kids that, quite frankly, by the end of the week (or the end of the first afternoon) I seriously wanted to wring their little necks and send them home because they were annoying or mean or disrespectful, etc, but upon hearing their story...my heart was softened. I realized there was so much more behind their misbehavior. A few times during the week I thought, "Hmm, I wonder if this kid will ever turn out okay," or sadly even, "This one doesn't have a chance."
The Sunday after church camp I was reading our church's little devotional, These Days, and I absolutely loved the daily devotion for that day. It was entitled "Planting Seeds of Hope." The author had quoted a church's purpose: "Through Jesus Christ, planting seeds of hope, branching out in faith, bearing fruit in love...All for the Glory of God!" Don't you love that?
We serve a God that can perform mighty miracles. I mean, this guy created everything in seven days. Surely, He can save a troublesome child from anything, can't He? Why should I believe that one little boy or little girl is beyond saving when Jesus fed 5000+ with two fish and five loaves, when He made the blind see, or brought the dead to life?
Our job, whether we're serving in a church, school, at a church camp, in a shelter or just in parenting is to plant the seed. Just like a farmer or a gardener tends to their crop, we must prepare the soil, plant the seed, weed and fertilize. If we plant a seed and never again return to nurture it, what happens? Will the plant grow? Will weeds take over and choke out the plant? Will it produce any crop? A farmer or gardener returns time and time again to their field or garden to check on their crop, observe the growth, fertilize the plant, and tend to the soil. Time is invested and eventually the reward comes. And the cool thing is that one seed can then multiply!
So we press on with those kids that we may be afraid won't have a chance, we do what we can do in our capacity to plant the seed, take the extra time to weed and fertilize so that God, who is capable of all things, can do the rest. I may not be around those kids but one week a year, but I can pray for them every day. I have to remember not to take it completely upon myself, but also to trust and rely on God's help in the process. It's not my job to try and perform a miracle if one is needed. God uses all kinds of situations for his purpose and glory, even when they are beyond our comprehension.
Lord, help me not to consider anyone beyond saving...but help me to do what I can to plant the seed and nurture it.
The other evening while getting a massage, if you read my earlier post, you know that ten million thoughts were rolling around in my head. I was thinking about church camp and the kids there. It's always so hard to leave church camp and wonder how some of those kids will do upon their return home. It amazes me that so many of those kids have really crummy lives. I don't mean my-life-stinks-'cause-I-don't-have-the-latest-game-system crummy, I mean crummy real-life stuff. Adult stuff that little kids live with. Stuff I don't even want to think about at my age.
I believe there were five campers there who have had one parent commit suicide in the last two years. FIVE. Five moms or dads ended their lives forever leaving behind a child...who probably at some point will blame his or herself for it. I know we had some in foster home situations. There were a couple kids whose parents had at one point in their children's lifetimes been in prison for drugs...(and thankfully, I know that at least two of those situations have come out with a positive ending!) When I asked one little girl where her three cousins were that have been there the past three years, she told me without batting an eye, in the most matter-of-fact tone possible, that the oldest boy got in trouble for touching her in bad places. Oh my goodness.
My daughter got fairly close with a girl who lives in foster care. She cannot live with her mother and has been in two different homes this past year. I think it really blew Madolyn's mind. I reminded her that no matter how bad she thinks her life is, there are many out there with real messes. She is a lucky girl whether she wants to believe it or not.
I thought about how there are some kids that, quite frankly, by the end of the week (or the end of the first afternoon) I seriously wanted to wring their little necks and send them home because they were annoying or mean or disrespectful, etc, but upon hearing their story...my heart was softened. I realized there was so much more behind their misbehavior. A few times during the week I thought, "Hmm, I wonder if this kid will ever turn out okay," or sadly even, "This one doesn't have a chance."
The Sunday after church camp I was reading our church's little devotional, These Days, and I absolutely loved the daily devotion for that day. It was entitled "Planting Seeds of Hope." The author had quoted a church's purpose: "Through Jesus Christ, planting seeds of hope, branching out in faith, bearing fruit in love...All for the Glory of God!" Don't you love that?
We serve a God that can perform mighty miracles. I mean, this guy created everything in seven days. Surely, He can save a troublesome child from anything, can't He? Why should I believe that one little boy or little girl is beyond saving when Jesus fed 5000+ with two fish and five loaves, when He made the blind see, or brought the dead to life?
Our job, whether we're serving in a church, school, at a church camp, in a shelter or just in parenting is to plant the seed. Just like a farmer or a gardener tends to their crop, we must prepare the soil, plant the seed, weed and fertilize. If we plant a seed and never again return to nurture it, what happens? Will the plant grow? Will weeds take over and choke out the plant? Will it produce any crop? A farmer or gardener returns time and time again to their field or garden to check on their crop, observe the growth, fertilize the plant, and tend to the soil. Time is invested and eventually the reward comes. And the cool thing is that one seed can then multiply!
So we press on with those kids that we may be afraid won't have a chance, we do what we can do in our capacity to plant the seed, take the extra time to weed and fertilize so that God, who is capable of all things, can do the rest. I may not be around those kids but one week a year, but I can pray for them every day. I have to remember not to take it completely upon myself, but also to trust and rely on God's help in the process. It's not my job to try and perform a miracle if one is needed. God uses all kinds of situations for his purpose and glory, even when they are beyond our comprehension.
Lord, help me not to consider anyone beyond saving...but help me to do what I can to plant the seed and nurture it.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
My Church Camp Top 12
For one entire week...
12. I got to listen to and sing along with our church praise band...sweet!
11. I do not have to feed, take care of, clean up after or watch out for any animal or pet.
10. I wore grungy, sloppy clothes and not worry about staining them...because no one really cared about
what I was wearing.
9. I do not have to drive anywhere. I drove to the Hilton (aka bath house minus 180 children) across the lake every day for a shower, but that doesn't count.
8. My phone had spotty reception and I liked it. It never rang...
7. I did not have to clean up after anyone except myself or do laundry, unless I wanted to.
6. I did not have to cook or worry about what we were having...thanks to a fantabulous cooking staff.
5. I reminded myself how very blessed I am.
4. I did not have to go far to find Jesus.
3. I watched my kids interact with others and create friendships that, I hope, will last a lifetime.
2. I got to spend the entire week with friends I met at church camp many years ago.
1. Kids are just kids. At camp no one knows the troubles they have left behind. One kid looks just like another...regardless of their house, shoes, car, where they live, what grade they're in, how good they are in sports, their stuff, etc.
This started out as my top 10, but I kept adding. I finally had to stop myself. My name is Sarah, I'm 37 years old and I still love church camp.
12. I got to listen to and sing along with our church praise band...sweet!
11. I do not have to feed, take care of, clean up after or watch out for any animal or pet.
10. I wore grungy, sloppy clothes and not worry about staining them...because no one really cared about
what I was wearing.
9. I do not have to drive anywhere. I drove to the Hilton (aka bath house minus 180 children) across the lake every day for a shower, but that doesn't count.
8. My phone had spotty reception and I liked it. It never rang...
7. I did not have to clean up after anyone except myself or do laundry, unless I wanted to.
6. I did not have to cook or worry about what we were having...thanks to a fantabulous cooking staff.
5. I reminded myself how very blessed I am.
4. I did not have to go far to find Jesus.
3. I watched my kids interact with others and create friendships that, I hope, will last a lifetime.
2. I got to spend the entire week with friends I met at church camp many years ago.
1. Kids are just kids. At camp no one knows the troubles they have left behind. One kid looks just like another...regardless of their house, shoes, car, where they live, what grade they're in, how good they are in sports, their stuff, etc.
This started out as my top 10, but I kept adding. I finally had to stop myself. My name is Sarah, I'm 37 years old and I still love church camp.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Confessions from the massage table...
A few thoughts running through my head last Friday evening when I was getting a massage (to help with my sciatic nerve discomfort, of course).
Here we go again.
It's so nice to just lay here for an hour and do absolutely nothing.
Can't believe I let this woman rub lotion and oil on my face. No one touches my face.
What in the world is with this music?
She keeps asking if I am relaxed..I am relaxed, right?
I love the smell of this lotion/oil stuff.
Is that a recorder in the background...you know like the one we played in 3rd or 4th grade in music?
Her hands and fingers are so strong. I bet I would get cramps in my hands doing this.
My stomach is roaring like a lion so the music is a good cover.
I keep picturing Will Ferrell playing the recorder, wearing a long robe and sitting Indian-style...
My kids aren't yelling at me or each other, awesome.
Okay, I've got to get it together because I am about to bust with this music.
I am starving.
Really, I'm trying to relax. How do I make my muscles relax?
Is this Yani? My mom likes Yani. Wow.
It sure was nice of her to fit me in on a Friday evening, especially when I just called 30 minutes ago.
Come on, Sarah. Think bad thoughts to keep from cracking up.
I sure hope this helps my nerve again.
How does someone record this type of music in a studio and people keep a straight face?
I can't believe that I am getting a second massage.
What I wouldn't give for a little TobyMac or Mandisa in the radio right now.
I love it when she works on my feet.
Are my eyes moving like crazy behind my eyelids or does it look like I'm relaxed and asleep?
I think Jay would enjoy this. Wonder if he would ever come in and get one??
I remember all those times I have tried not to laugh in serious situations and I was dying inside...that's what it feels like right now listening to this "music."
So I dropped Jay off to run & we didn't actually make a plan on where to meet. Hmm.
Oh man, I hope I don't fart.
When she asked if I wanted music, I should've said no, What is this stuff?
I don't know what this is supposed to do, but I sure like it.
I bet people fart all the time.
My mind needs to shut up so I can relax.
I hope the hour isn't up yet.
I sure wish it would rain.
I would even take Elvis at this point.
Would love it if I could take notes, this could be a good blog post.
She hasn't asked if I'm relaxed in a while, wonder if that's because I finally relaxed or she gave up?
Do people really buy these CD's?
Are Jay and Lane outside in the truck waiting on me?
If I went outside right now & stood still for 5 minutes there would be a puddle of oil/lotion at my feet.
I wonder what's for supper.
This CD has to be the longest CD ever recorded...and it all sounds the same.
I can't believe I enjoy massages. I never thought I would like it.
How long can I use the sciatic nerve pain as an excuse to get these massages?
Maybe I can talk Jay into pizza.
Will Ferrell with the recorder, yes, I can just see it.
Dang, it's over.
But so is the music, that's a plus.
Disclaimer...I love the lady that gives me the massages and would encourage everyone in the area to get a massage from her...She really has helped my back...I mean no disrespect to her...maybe just her music :)
Here we go again.
It's so nice to just lay here for an hour and do absolutely nothing.
Can't believe I let this woman rub lotion and oil on my face. No one touches my face.
What in the world is with this music?
She keeps asking if I am relaxed..I am relaxed, right?
I love the smell of this lotion/oil stuff.
Is that a recorder in the background...you know like the one we played in 3rd or 4th grade in music?
Her hands and fingers are so strong. I bet I would get cramps in my hands doing this.
My stomach is roaring like a lion so the music is a good cover.
I keep picturing Will Ferrell playing the recorder, wearing a long robe and sitting Indian-style...
My kids aren't yelling at me or each other, awesome.
Okay, I've got to get it together because I am about to bust with this music.
I am starving.
Really, I'm trying to relax. How do I make my muscles relax?
Is this Yani? My mom likes Yani. Wow.
It sure was nice of her to fit me in on a Friday evening, especially when I just called 30 minutes ago.
Come on, Sarah. Think bad thoughts to keep from cracking up.
I sure hope this helps my nerve again.
How does someone record this type of music in a studio and people keep a straight face?
I can't believe that I am getting a second massage.
What I wouldn't give for a little TobyMac or Mandisa in the radio right now.
I love it when she works on my feet.
Are my eyes moving like crazy behind my eyelids or does it look like I'm relaxed and asleep?
I think Jay would enjoy this. Wonder if he would ever come in and get one??
I remember all those times I have tried not to laugh in serious situations and I was dying inside...that's what it feels like right now listening to this "music."
So I dropped Jay off to run & we didn't actually make a plan on where to meet. Hmm.
Oh man, I hope I don't fart.
When she asked if I wanted music, I should've said no, What is this stuff?
I don't know what this is supposed to do, but I sure like it.
I bet people fart all the time.
My mind needs to shut up so I can relax.
I hope the hour isn't up yet.
I sure wish it would rain.
I would even take Elvis at this point.
Would love it if I could take notes, this could be a good blog post.
She hasn't asked if I'm relaxed in a while, wonder if that's because I finally relaxed or she gave up?
Do people really buy these CD's?
Are Jay and Lane outside in the truck waiting on me?
If I went outside right now & stood still for 5 minutes there would be a puddle of oil/lotion at my feet.
I wonder what's for supper.
This CD has to be the longest CD ever recorded...and it all sounds the same.
I can't believe I enjoy massages. I never thought I would like it.
How long can I use the sciatic nerve pain as an excuse to get these massages?
Maybe I can talk Jay into pizza.
Will Ferrell with the recorder, yes, I can just see it.
Dang, it's over.
But so is the music, that's a plus.
Disclaimer...I love the lady that gives me the massages and would encourage everyone in the area to get a massage from her...She really has helped my back...I mean no disrespect to her...maybe just her music :)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
My mind
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30 (NIV)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV)
And no, I'm not losing it completely, but I have trouble with allowing my mind to get away from me. We were just talking in Sunday School class about how we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, but our minds get in the way a lot of times. I know mine does and it is so frustrating sometimes.
Last week there was this issue with a particular thing (can you tell I'm trying to be as vague as possible to protect the innocent?) and it ate at me all week. I could not figure out why someone wouldn't give me back this 'thing' that I really needed to perform certain duties. This 'thing' had been mentioned a couple of times, but still was not returned to its natural position. I stewed and stewed over why this 'thing' was being kept from me. Was it intentional? Was it an oversight? Was I doing something wrong? I kept discussing this 'thing' with my friend and we were both trying to figure out what in the world was going on with the 'thing'.
I prayed every day about getting this 'thing' back into my control, how I was going to approach the subject, again, what could be the reason for keeping it from me, etc. Finally, on Friday, after my friend said one of the funniest prayers I have ever heard (especially from a serious prayin' grown woman;), we got an answer. (No surprise there, right?) I asked about the 'thing' and the answer I got was a simple one, and it had absolutely nothing to do with me or my abilities or inabilities. And it would be returning to my possession and control soon.
I had to laugh and so did my friend...we had completely let our minds get carried away with the why's and what if's of the situation...and there was no need. But let me tell you, it was like a dark gloomy cloud lurking overhead all week. It was driving me crazy. Again, all because I let my mind get out of control.
I can think of many times when I have thought or said, "What were they thinking?" It is not hard to see how many people can get carried away with thoughts swirling around in their heads. Maybe thoughts of "You're not good enough," "You'll never be loved," "You're such a disgrace," and I could go on and on. Our mind is a powerful thing. It's not hard to get fixated on statements like that, statements that Satan wants you to believe and surrender to.
In another example of the battle of the mind, how many times have you known with your heart the right thing to do, but your mind took over and instead you did the opposite or didn't do anything at all? I know there have been times when my mind was saying no, I don't want to take on something else, but my heart was saying, yes, this is something God wants you to do...and vice-versa. Sometimes our minds and hearts work against each other instead of in sync with one another.
I told my friend after our little incident with the 'thing' that we (I) must not doubt ourselves anymore. We are good at what we do and we need to believe it. There was no good reason for me to worry and stew and lose energy over the 'thing' and what might or might not be behind keeping it from me a couple days. Ridiculous of me.
We are told in the book of Mark, as noted above, that the most important commandment is that we are to love God with four things. I believe that he breaks it down into those four specific groups because it is important that we love him with EVERYTHING we've got. When we are loving God completely with our heart, mind, soul and strength, it is easier to control our thoughts. Then if we put that verse together with the Philippians scripture up above, and focus on the good stuff, God will give us peace and guard our hearts!
A good reminder for me that somehow I have got to get a handle on my crazy, gets-carried-away-from-me-mind and stay focused on the good stuff.
Monday, August 6, 2012
LKK
There are only a select few of you out there who have any idea of what "LKK" stands for...To many it will look like one L and two K's standing side-by-side; to the few it signifies one of the best weeks of the year: Little Kids Kamp at Brush Creek!
After last year's church camp lice debacle, the first stop upon arriving at camp was a head check. All our group passed with flying colors and I think, all in all, only three were sent home and they may have all returned once their heads were treated. The intent was never to keep kids away from camp, but to keep the nasty critters away!!
We had record numbers this year at camp. I think there were 223 total, staff included. It was a full house to say the least, but amazingly enough, we had almost zero trouble! It was so awesome. Normally there is at least one major ruckus where kids are pulled aside and threatened with being sent home...not this year. Our pastors/speakers did a great job. The teachers were well-prepared and on it. The directors did super, and the kitchen staff (minus a few dishwashers;) were on top of it with delicious meals. And I must say the Rec Team may have been the best ever (haha, I was on that one).
The campground we get to attend is great...nevertheless, since I have been going the past four years, not one year has passed without some sort of water or sewer problem. This year was no exception. Fortunately, it could have been worse and the folks down there worked hard to correct the problem. The bummer was the super-duper Rec team couldn't get a break. We planned swimming/pool events on Tuesday afternoon and what do you know, we couldn't use the pool. Thursday we planned our water day and we had stuff set up for a slip-n-slide and all kinds of fun...at ten minutes to showtime, the hose quit working. No water the rest of the afternoon. Ahh, but because there was a super-duper Rec team, we pulled it off. Ha!
One afternoon during free time, we had the kids watch the movie Courageous in the tabernacle (because the pool was closed and we couldn't use the water). I was so excited because I had never seen the movie, but was terribly afraid the kids would not be able to sit still for the duration. I could not believe it...the kids were great. I think there was just enough action in the movie to keep their attention. Even, Lane, who is only 8 years old, sat right beside me the whole time. He thought it was awesome! Towards the end, kids were getting a tad restless, curious about when it would be over, but all in all, I was tickled with their patience.
A funny there, one of the directors, I'll call Sandra (a real good camp friend of mine from waaay back) came in to ask the Staff to do some extra things (get the kitchen cleaned up because there had been no water after lunch) and I shushed her!! There were only about four minutes left in the movie and it was the scene at the end with the little girl running and the 'bad' guys and the gun, etc...I told her to wait just a few minutes and get out of the way so I could see...haha, she took it well...and as soon as it was over, I responded to her call!
As usual, when the week comes to an end, I (we) are thoroughly exhausted. We really want to sleep in our own beds, take a shower in our own shower and just crash...and we did...for about 18 hours because we had the 4-H fair starting bright and early on Saturday morning.
After last year's church camp lice debacle, the first stop upon arriving at camp was a head check. All our group passed with flying colors and I think, all in all, only three were sent home and they may have all returned once their heads were treated. The intent was never to keep kids away from camp, but to keep the nasty critters away!!
We had record numbers this year at camp. I think there were 223 total, staff included. It was a full house to say the least, but amazingly enough, we had almost zero trouble! It was so awesome. Normally there is at least one major ruckus where kids are pulled aside and threatened with being sent home...not this year. Our pastors/speakers did a great job. The teachers were well-prepared and on it. The directors did super, and the kitchen staff (minus a few dishwashers;) were on top of it with delicious meals. And I must say the Rec Team may have been the best ever (haha, I was on that one).
The campground we get to attend is great...nevertheless, since I have been going the past four years, not one year has passed without some sort of water or sewer problem. This year was no exception. Fortunately, it could have been worse and the folks down there worked hard to correct the problem. The bummer was the super-duper Rec team couldn't get a break. We planned swimming/pool events on Tuesday afternoon and what do you know, we couldn't use the pool. Thursday we planned our water day and we had stuff set up for a slip-n-slide and all kinds of fun...at ten minutes to showtime, the hose quit working. No water the rest of the afternoon. Ahh, but because there was a super-duper Rec team, we pulled it off. Ha!
One afternoon during free time, we had the kids watch the movie Courageous in the tabernacle (because the pool was closed and we couldn't use the water). I was so excited because I had never seen the movie, but was terribly afraid the kids would not be able to sit still for the duration. I could not believe it...the kids were great. I think there was just enough action in the movie to keep their attention. Even, Lane, who is only 8 years old, sat right beside me the whole time. He thought it was awesome! Towards the end, kids were getting a tad restless, curious about when it would be over, but all in all, I was tickled with their patience.
A funny there, one of the directors, I'll call Sandra (a real good camp friend of mine from waaay back) came in to ask the Staff to do some extra things (get the kitchen cleaned up because there had been no water after lunch) and I shushed her!! There were only about four minutes left in the movie and it was the scene at the end with the little girl running and the 'bad' guys and the gun, etc...I told her to wait just a few minutes and get out of the way so I could see...haha, she took it well...and as soon as it was over, I responded to her call!
As usual, when the week comes to an end, I (we) are thoroughly exhausted. We really want to sleep in our own beds, take a shower in our own shower and just crash...and we did...for about 18 hours because we had the 4-H fair starting bright and early on Saturday morning.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Am I sick or is it cold in here?
Here is a Wilhoit funny in the midst of our July madness. One night when we were at home, exhausted from the chaos, we went to bed like usual. I always go to bed with a blanket on top of me...even though I am covered with a flannel sheet (yes, we use them year-round) and a quilt. Normally, we kick the A/C down to about 75 during the night and turn it back up a little during the day when we're not home. I remember turning it down to the usual 75 before bed.
During the night, I kept thinking, man, did I forget to get my blanket? Then I would reach for it, nope, it's there. Jay was somewhat restless too, but we didn't chit-chat about it. I had a moment or two where I thought, good grief, I am getting sick because my head and neck feel funky. I didn't get out of bed, but muddled through the night, somewhat restless.
Come morning, Jay and I both commented on how cold we were, how we wondered if we were getting sick, how the timing would be awful for that, etc. Jay got out of bed and noticed that the A/C was running in the bathroom. How could that be, it was freezing?! He went out and checked the thermostat...66. Someone, Lane Truman, got 'cold' in the night and turned the air condition down. In A/C world, down means up, if you catch my drift. He didn't realize that...and so it was 66 degrees, which is why we were freezing all night long.
We lectured him on this (this winter he turned the heat up to 84 once and it was like a sauna when we got home) and told him he was not to touch the thermostat again. We keep the house on 68 in the wintertime, so it was freezing to me. I had to open the doors and windows to warm the house up, ridiculous, I know.
This past Friday night, Jay was away at his cousin's wedding rehearsal and the kids decided to have a sleepover. We had four extra girls in the house and the kids crashed here, there and everywhere when it was bedtime. (Lane crawled in bed with me, he was the odd man out!) I did sleep all night, but when I got up early Saturday morning to use the restroom, I could not get over how cold it was. I immediately checked the thermostat and found it again on 66. This time Madolyn had gotten hot and turned the A/C 'up' to cool off and forgot. Ahh!
New rule in the Wilhoit house: Children are not allowed to touch the thermostat!
During the night, I kept thinking, man, did I forget to get my blanket? Then I would reach for it, nope, it's there. Jay was somewhat restless too, but we didn't chit-chat about it. I had a moment or two where I thought, good grief, I am getting sick because my head and neck feel funky. I didn't get out of bed, but muddled through the night, somewhat restless.
Come morning, Jay and I both commented on how cold we were, how we wondered if we were getting sick, how the timing would be awful for that, etc. Jay got out of bed and noticed that the A/C was running in the bathroom. How could that be, it was freezing?! He went out and checked the thermostat...66. Someone, Lane Truman, got 'cold' in the night and turned the air condition down. In A/C world, down means up, if you catch my drift. He didn't realize that...and so it was 66 degrees, which is why we were freezing all night long.
We lectured him on this (this winter he turned the heat up to 84 once and it was like a sauna when we got home) and told him he was not to touch the thermostat again. We keep the house on 68 in the wintertime, so it was freezing to me. I had to open the doors and windows to warm the house up, ridiculous, I know.
This past Friday night, Jay was away at his cousin's wedding rehearsal and the kids decided to have a sleepover. We had four extra girls in the house and the kids crashed here, there and everywhere when it was bedtime. (Lane crawled in bed with me, he was the odd man out!) I did sleep all night, but when I got up early Saturday morning to use the restroom, I could not get over how cold it was. I immediately checked the thermostat and found it again on 66. This time Madolyn had gotten hot and turned the A/C 'up' to cool off and forgot. Ahh!
New rule in the Wilhoit house: Children are not allowed to touch the thermostat!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
TYPTYP1
For the past 18 years that mumbo-jumbo has been my nickname and my license plate. People have mispronounced it several times and asked, "What does tip tip mean?" To which I would reply, in my un-sassiest tone possible, "It is a Y, which is a long I sound, TYPE TYPE..." as in typing because that is what I do for a living. My mom came up with it 18 years ago when I purchased my first new car, a 1994 Ford Escort, red, stick-shift. (I loved that little car.) I think the second choice for the plate, if I remember correctly, was YEEHAW. Apparently, no one else in the state had TYPTYP on their plates. Imagine that. It is my regret to announce that TYPTYP1 is retired.
So why did I retire TYPTYP1? I took the plunge and followed in my grandma's footsteps. I traded my Mercury Mountaineer in for a Ford F150 4x4 pickup truck. It was time to give up the family car, which may seem a little strange because we still have our children. Lately I have been using Jay's truck because I was pulling something somewhere that needed a hitch. This past year, we purchased a small used camper and we have a two-horse bumper-pull trailer that we cart our horses around in. We are always hauling something around with us, and if we ever decide to go camping and bring the horses, now we can do it!
I am sure there will be times when I miss the Mountaineer, but I'm feeling pretty good about the truck. I am very comfortable in it and it drives as nice as a car. The drawback was that I could not transfer my passenger car plates to it. So the state will be issuing me some random, run-of-the-mill license plate, and for months no one will wave at me or know where I'm at :)
Maybe next August when it is time to renew the sticker, I'll apply for 1TYPTYP and see what happens. Jay plans to put the TYPTYP1 on the golf cart for now. I will probably hang the other one in my office at work or in the garage or something. It seems like the end of something and it's kind of sad, but I don't know why...it is just a license plate.
It was kind of funny, before the truck-shopping process when people were assessing the Mountaineer, I neglected to vacuum out the back and didn't notice until a day or two ago. I had forgotten that recently the kids and I had hauled alfalfa bales to the horses in my car and it was still a mess. It was a sign...that it was time for a truck. My grandma drove a truck until she was about 92...I am not sure I'll go quite that long but you never know.
I am sure there will be times when I miss the Mountaineer, but I'm feeling pretty good about the truck. I am very comfortable in it and it drives as nice as a car. The drawback was that I could not transfer my passenger car plates to it. So the state will be issuing me some random, run-of-the-mill license plate, and for months no one will wave at me or know where I'm at :)
Maybe next August when it is time to renew the sticker, I'll apply for 1TYPTYP and see what happens. Jay plans to put the TYPTYP1 on the golf cart for now. I will probably hang the other one in my office at work or in the garage or something. It seems like the end of something and it's kind of sad, but I don't know why...it is just a license plate.
It was kind of funny, before the truck-shopping process when people were assessing the Mountaineer, I neglected to vacuum out the back and didn't notice until a day or two ago. I had forgotten that recently the kids and I had hauled alfalfa bales to the horses in my car and it was still a mess. It was a sign...that it was time for a truck. My grandma drove a truck until she was about 92...I am not sure I'll go quite that long but you never know.
Awesome fair week
So recapping a little...the Martinsville Agricultural Fair was awesome. The weather, although not nice to the farmers, was fairly kind to the fair schedule. We had two downpours, which were welcome by all, on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Unfortunately for the older kids, the Scramble had to be cut short because there was lightening, but there was no other choice in the interest of safety. Saturday evening the rain did not stop the Demolition Derby and it did not stop the crowds either. I will say the gate workers and parking attendants were the victims of that night. I admit I was thankful that Jay and I had worked the gate on Friday night or I would've definitely felt shameful passing them in their rain-soaked clothing. (I still felt bad, but not quite as bad, I guess.)
The 5k race/walk that I help organize on the Saturday of fair was a huge success. Our pre-registration numbers were not at all indicative of our race-day attendees. We ran out of bibs and actually had to ask the walkers for their bibs back! I felt awful, but everyone seemed to understand. I was short two medals somehow (who knows), and my registration helpers were on overload, but I think it went pretty well.
Fortunately, for me, there is a team ready to take it over and I am ready todump hand it to them. I took it over six years ago maybe, and never intended to still be an organizer. I am thankful for someone who stepped up and helped me out the past couple years. (I will call her Tara.) She has been a lifesaver. As someone who does not run, unless it is a life or death situation, I don't quite get the whole 5k deal and am looking forward to some experienced runners having their hand in the organization. I will help them and do what I can on race day, but I feel a great sense of relief and I know that Jay does too. (Of course, I take out my anxiety on him!)
Backtracking a week, Elevate went well. It was so blasted hot and people still came. I was in awe of the amount of people that came early and waited in those extreme temperatures. I didn't hear much of Josh Wilson because I was working a gate, but everything I did hear was great. The guys from For King & Country are some of the most down-to-earth fellas I have met. They were very easy-going and super friendly. Seems like there is always one band or singer that sticks out (backstage) as super normal...these guys were it for me this year. (That is not to say the others aren't too, of course.)
The concert, the fair and the 5k could not go on without lots of volunteers. I so appreciate the generosity of others in helping these events work. In a community the size of ours, it's often the same people doing everything. Thank you for not throwing in the towel. My dad and the fair board and directors put in so much of their time in and so many fair goers never realize the stress they endure. Every year I think it will push my dad over the edge and somehow he pulls through (my mom seems to survive it as well). I am sure there are others who walk that line as well, I just don't see them as closely.
So in case you missed the greatest spectacle in small-town fairs, there is my recap!
The 5k race/walk that I help organize on the Saturday of fair was a huge success. Our pre-registration numbers were not at all indicative of our race-day attendees. We ran out of bibs and actually had to ask the walkers for their bibs back! I felt awful, but everyone seemed to understand. I was short two medals somehow (who knows), and my registration helpers were on overload, but I think it went pretty well.
Fortunately, for me, there is a team ready to take it over and I am ready to
Backtracking a week, Elevate went well. It was so blasted hot and people still came. I was in awe of the amount of people that came early and waited in those extreme temperatures. I didn't hear much of Josh Wilson because I was working a gate, but everything I did hear was great. The guys from For King & Country are some of the most down-to-earth fellas I have met. They were very easy-going and super friendly. Seems like there is always one band or singer that sticks out (backstage) as super normal...these guys were it for me this year. (That is not to say the others aren't too, of course.)
The concert, the fair and the 5k could not go on without lots of volunteers. I so appreciate the generosity of others in helping these events work. In a community the size of ours, it's often the same people doing everything. Thank you for not throwing in the towel. My dad and the fair board and directors put in so much of their time in and so many fair goers never realize the stress they endure. Every year I think it will push my dad over the edge and somehow he pulls through (my mom seems to survive it as well). I am sure there are others who walk that line as well, I just don't see them as closely.
So in case you missed the greatest spectacle in small-town fairs, there is my recap!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sarah's got her groove back
Well, not quite...but I got you, didn't I? I have never even seen that movie, How Stella Got her Groove Back, but for some reason this morning when I was getting ready to write, that title popped into my head. If you didn't notice, I kind of fell off the face of the blog-earth for a while there. I warned you though, July was crazy. July is over. Today is August 1 and I am ready to get back to Wilhoit normal.
I will say it right now, I apologize for my post in maybe late March or early April. I believe I put in one somewhere that it would probably not rain all summer. I feared that when we were having such an odd spring, but didn't actually want that to happen. I don't know that I can be blamed for the drought of 2012, but I suppose if it makes someone out there feel better, I'll take one for the team.
I will keep this post short...just know that I'm getting my groove back. But it may take a while. I have missed writing as this is somewhat of a journal or diary for me, but lucky for you, my memory isn't too shabby. Just ask Jay...I can remember all kinds of things...and forget many as well. Hope you all survived July...we did it!!
I will say it right now, I apologize for my post in maybe late March or early April. I believe I put in one somewhere that it would probably not rain all summer. I feared that when we were having such an odd spring, but didn't actually want that to happen. I don't know that I can be blamed for the drought of 2012, but I suppose if it makes someone out there feel better, I'll take one for the team.
I will keep this post short...just know that I'm getting my groove back. But it may take a while. I have missed writing as this is somewhat of a journal or diary for me, but lucky for you, my memory isn't too shabby. Just ask Jay...I can remember all kinds of things...and forget many as well. Hope you all survived July...we did it!!
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