Your Totem Pole

Your Totem Pole

Recently I was asked how I am so happy all the time. At first I thought, “isn't everybody?” I found that apparently this question stayed in my mind until it was finally resolved. At 2:36 a.m.  I woke with a perhaps life-changing “aha moment.”

Growing up my life wasn’t perfect but you sure could not tell me that. I was one of the happiest polka-dotted jumpsuit wearing little girls that I can remember. Even though psychology does say that as situations are reflected on, one views them as better than they were. However that's neither here nor there --I had an awesome childhood!  I was taught to make the best of situations, so I did. Still today co-workers unintentionally remind me that I continue to view most situations like that. I view life through rose-colored glasses.

The study of psychology or maybe I was in biology class or the like, I remember it being mentioned that at a certain point in life, your emotional high becomes a few notches lower (okay so maybe that was when referring to depression, but bare with me) and I do notice how it does not take a lot to bring joy to many life-experienced individuals. It seems almost intuitive that  as one grows older, many things in life naturally establish a lower rank on the “excitement totem pole.” The high you once had when going to a children's birthday party with tablecloths, balloons,  hats that were all matching and leaving with a party favor as proof that you went to a party and had the best time of your life is something that one grows out of:. That excitement is shifted towards more adult- like, mature activities.   Perhaps it's a Scentsy party or heading to the flea market to find a new hunting device. Not being limited to this example, one's levels on a totem pole of excitement, change.

This is the best way for me to answer the question of how I am so happy all the time-- I have been reoriented on my totem pole of excitement!

So I ask myself is this bad? Am I being “fake”? Am I doing something wrong? My answer is no, we are all given different paths in life and as one is given many situations on their path, take each situation and make the best of it :-)!

It is now 4:16 a.m. and I need to get to sleep because Church is in a few hours!

Never a Dull Moment

Besides cleaning my house, I wasn't sure how I would spend my week off. After posting comments about discussions that I had over dinner with Dr. David, a comment was made on my post by a lady I met at earlier in the year at a coffee shop and was blessed by being able to  pray with her husband and her. She mentioned how life has her in a different place. She is now the Executive Director The Institute for Anatomical Research! This was a sweet little reminder of the power of prayer!   Writing/blogging, it may be your time as I have been reminded that although I may not be aware of the excitement taking place, in life there is never a dull moment!

Music to my ears

For the first few years of being back in Colorado I listened to KTLF (90.5) and KBIQ (102.7) as these station played “my type of music”-- the music from my middle school and high school years. I was then told about KGFT (100.7), a teaching and talk radio station and became a huge fan of this station. A time came when listening to sermons and searching scripture was almost all I did it really encouraged spending time with God. I would love how screw sure that had recently been brought to light in my life was being discussed or even sang I'm bout on the radio.

While I was at Starbucks several times over the summer, I would  like would  turn one of the tables into my “ office.” I would chat with nearly everyone that came through the door knowing that potentially I would get to hear a story. More often than not I would run into “regulars.” This was before I had earned that  title  and would ask  a bartista  about a particular person  describing their characteristics. They would smile and say oh she's a regular. This all happened before I earned that title and eventually became friends with many of the other regulars.

One of the people was and is Bob1. He and I got into a conversation about music and he started bringing me all sorts of music out of his collection: Celtic, Folk, Irish, African, and other types of very calming music. I am very appreciative of Bob1 reminding me that there is power in more than listening to sermons. I was also able to meet up with the other Bobs, Bob2 and Bob3, and spend time sharing about life while simultaneously gaining knowledge from their years of wisdom. One day my helper had to go to a class and would not be at my house. The lady who came is from West Africa and liked Bob1’s Mamadou music as it is from Africa. Although I occasionally listen to it, I never thought I would have a visitor who was so thankful that I had it.
       Starting this blog months ago, and just getting around to posting it, life has shown me many things, however I did see Bob1 today and was able to share the excitement of how God used his music in my home!

Turn Around

Turn Around
          Waking up in an incredibly crazy mood I tried not to get out of bed until things were more calm in my mind, but that was not happening. I prayed and asked God to calm my mind and the next thing I knew I was at my mom's house for breakfast and everything was awesome-- breakfast, the time I was able to spend with my aunt and my mom, and I even made it home in time to go to Rocky Mountain Calvary’s second Sunday service! AWESOME, right?
    Arriving to Church I was a little sad that I missed fellowshipping with my 9 o'clock service friends but this was before I had any idea of what God had planned. I sat down and slowly people began to trickle in. Stephanie, friend from years ago who had been away on a mission trip, happened to be home! Minutes later Vanessa showed up and sat right next to me. I was so excited to share where God has me currently and was really excited to talk about education for her son as the two are very closely intertwined.
    Soon it was time for Church. One of the things that stuck out to me during the sermon was that Christians need to stop being a judge and a lawyer, but rather be a witness. After hearing  that, thoughts of how many times last week I found myself talking about myself and how God is working in my life. I felt like I wasn't giving the other person time to talk. I started to feel bad but was reminded that by sharing how God has shown up in my own life helps others.
          Last week was a little rocky. It seemed as though storms were  coming in from every direction of life. Although I am not sure how this week is going to pan out, it has already been off to a fantastic start! After the fun and exciting surprise this morning, I was reminded that Ministry is waiting after the storm. I reflected on that for a few minutes and Pastor Eric also pointed out how difficulties that we go through better equip us to help others when they are in similar situations. Although it may not be an instant gratification type event that you are able to see immediately, in God's Time, His purpose become evident. 

Though my morning did not start out wonderful, after fabulous things started to unfold I was reminded that I should always be prepared and looking for God’s great turn-around!

To go, or not to go?

To go, or not to go?
For reasons unknown, I woke up crying not sure if I should I go to church.as I would be missing Spruce Hill Community Church (the Cowboy Church). The sermon last week was clearly God speaking through Pastor Boyd to me. As I'm writing this I realize that I was totally putting limits on God-- thinking that He couldn't speak to me through Pastor Eric’s Sermon in the same way He did through Pastor Boyd's sermon last week- silly me. At one point last week, Pastor Boyd was talking about how one may be suffering and the reason are not immediately obvious. This week Pastor Eric mentioned how Faith disregards apparent impossibilities. He also mentioned how God uses the weak and the foolish to confound the wise. All of this hit home in more than one way. This all supported by scripture and examples were given in the sermon (which is posted below for your listening pleasure). After the service I realized that I sat right behind a beautiful friend that I have not seen in a very long time. This made me extremely excited and this was only the beginning of the end.
         I have been rather sad that the Steve Sprenger, the former  missions Pastor had moved to Uganda and I had not yet met the new Missions Pastor. I finished speaking with the pastor and was headed back to my chair to make sure I picked up the huge mess I created by looking for pens during service. I cleaned up and found there were a couple think that I had left on the ground. After picking them up I was greeted by Dan, the new Missions Pastor. Little did I know that my day would be full of more excitement and the sermon’s relevance was only beginning. Homeward  bound , I arrived at the bus stop realizing I missed the last bus and had an hour to wait. At this time I was hungry but remembered I had food at my house that needed to be eaten.
         I started dictating the morning’s events into my phone with no regard for the person who was also at the stop waiting. The man overheard me dictating into my cell phone about the sermon and mentioned that he was also leaving from the RMC’s service. We chatted a bit about the sermon and mentioned that Mark 3 is a very powerful chapter. Finally arriving at Starbucks to get tea for tomorrow, I begin dictating into my phone heard a bartista say “Bonnie.” Indeed it was my beautiful friend Bonnie and we had a few minutes to talk. It was only after those few minutes that Bob1 arrived. but he explained that he can only stay for a few minutes because he was going to see the Philharmonic. After Bob 1 left I remembered that I had valuable coupons that expired today! I needed to go across the street from where I had just came from.
          I remembered these few errands that needed to be run so I took off.  The ladies at Q-doba were so fun to chat with and the lady who was Mexican was incredibly patient (the Church crowd must have already been through). I now had great food for work tomorrow and needed to quickly grab a pair of good walking shoes for work.  Again I met a fabulous young lady who helped me pick out shoes. I was very indecisive about this because I actually do walk at work-- outside of work I spend the majority of time getting around town in my hot rod (electric wheelchair). After purchasing an item from my two-item list, I was headed home.
         Crossing the last major street to get home I saw a man in a manual chair who looked very tired. I asked if I could help him and he asked if he could grab my chair and have me pull him up the hill on Union. We began talking when a couple stopped by and said, “We want you to eat with us, is Chipotle okay? “ How do you tell a whole family that they can’t bless you?  So Mo (a person I met on the bus 3 years ago) and I headed to Chipotle.  After the young (3rd grade) bilingual boy prayed in Spanish over the food, the parents explained how they were blessed and were looking for ways to bless others.  Although the father and son knew English, the mother explained that her English was weak.  We talked about God, Church, California, and theme parks. This was such an incredible day!  Praise God for protecting and providing….Yes Yram, I saved plenty of room for the amazing soup left at my house.  Oh and on my way across the street I ran into my niece!  I am so ready for this week, weekends are too full….wait, that was only today. And I wondered if I should go to Church?!?

East Coast

This was written by my mother but was way too hilarious not to share...
Ok... so yesterday we fly into DC pick up a rental car and begin to drive to Maryland. Sounds easy enough right?  It was suppose to be a 40 minute trip... that took 5 hours!
I was driving, my sister Suzette, her boyfriend Lenny and my daughter Kimi, were co-navigators.  To make a very long story short. We have seen way more of downtown DC than planned, got half way to Richmond before we realized we were going the wrong way, only to then see more of DC.  I can now be a tour guide, as long as you want to the Washington moument...4 times in one day!
Now you must know we were in contact with my nieces the whole time. They are telling us to use the GPS!  I told them  " I didn't get GPS with the car because we have our phone's GPS. .. and it lies!!"
Finally pulled into the Landmark Mall and told them to come get us.
Once they arrived, my niece said "auntie give me you phone. " I handed it to her and said "THE GPS DOESN'T WORK!  I put the two addresses in and kept it kept telling us that it was going to take 12 1/2 hours to travel 38 miles, so I quit using it."
Laughing her @! $ off she hands it back and says " You had it on walking direction!"   What? I didn't even know there was a "walking" mode. That's when a voice from the backseat, that sounded an awful lot like Kimi R. Burton said "Oops I changed that... "
33 minutes later we we at our destination. Let the party begin!

According to Plan

From many’s perspective,  it seems that  when  life  isn't all gumdrops and roses, God must not be at work in life. I knew my plans for the day included meeting with beautiful Mrs. Renee who has awesome curly hair. Prior to arriving at Starbucks I realized that one of my bags was wrapped around a wheel of my hotrod and dragging next to the ground- it was going to require major de-tangling. Arriving at Starbucks earlier than the meeting time, I didn't even think about trying to de-tangle my bag; I was running into a few of my friends-- many of the early morning businessman in their normal clothes.
I was so excited when Mrs. Renee and Peaches  arrived that I completely forgot about my tangled bag mishap and had to run home to do something I had forgotten to do before leaving my house. As I was driving my hotrod home I heard the scraping and tangling of my bag.  I got home and realized that I could not lift my hot rod high enough to pull it out from under the wheel while holding it up at the same time by myself.  I knew Grandpa T can fix anything, so I went to ask for his help. He was not available and I needed this to be done. I asked God for wisdom regarding this silly situation and sure enough, He provided.  
My mind was filled with the genius idea of carefully backing off a curb just enough so that the strings could be pulled out from under the wheel. Awesome idea and I knew the perfect place that it could be done!
I want over to the “perfect place” and and I thought that perhaps a should ask a person from the office to help. Right after I decided against a ride to find help, I was carefully backing one wheel off the perfect location and a man who a man who works at the complex came around me corner. He saw me doing what probably looked dangerous and perhaps even a little crazy. I explained the situation and he assisted. I carefully backed up my hotrod and he untangled the mess.
I had made it home completed the activity that I forgot to do this  morning and headed on my way. Now I was time to go back to the coffee shop so I could write. It was nice to arrive for the second time but not as many friends present so I can write. However very shortly Bob1 arrived and gave me and gave me amazing trinkets. I was completely re-excited when he told me for probably the 15th time that he used to be an architect.
Laying here awake at 3:51 in the morning I cannot recall anything out of the ordinary that happened I just think everything that happens is exciting in some form or fashion.
Even though I thought I knew my plans and had them laid out, I lay here and smile realizing that most of my day was not part of my plans. I think of the little things that could have been major catastrophe that were not because God knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper and not to harm plans to give me hope and a future Jeremiah 29: 11.