BlackBottom.com – Church Anniversary Dance (Celebration of 4 Generations at Greater Travelers Rest)
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via BlackBottom.com – Church Anniversary Dance (Celebration of 4 Generations at Greater Travelers Rest).
Now that’s fun!
My heart is heavy. I ache for the people of Haiti. I don’t know anyone personally, but can only imagine the deep pain and agony they are experiencing. Their terrible plight in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake is all over the news, worldwide. The stories keep coming in… I imagine being there and desperately trying to hear word of those I love – are they safe? Did they survive? I imagine trying to take care of my family – where do I get water? where do I get food? How do I calm down their fears? Where do we sleep? How will we rebuild? Will it ever be normal again? I imagine hearing the cries of torment of those buried and the anguished cries of those discovering their family, friends, neighbors and others who didn’t make it.
I spoke with a friend at Compassion International’s headquarters this morning and they are still anxiously trying to establish a line of communication with their staff there. Read more here. It’s hard to really FEEL what is happening in Haiti. The news reports tug on our hearts, but then we go about our days and sleep in our comfy beds and tend to forget. I’ll be the first to admit that I do this. But I am asking God to keep these people on my mind. To guide me in how to pray for them. To show me if I can help in a practical way.
Pat Robertson made comments that were very disturbing. What infuriates me most is that it sends a message to everyone that all Christians think this way. I have been digesting his comments and have been wondering what kind of response I could say. In the meantime I found Donald Miller (author of Blue Like Jazz and other books) had posted a response. He very wisely articulates much of my own thoughts. I encourage you to read his words, here: It’s easy to just sit confounded in anger. It’s harder to really think through the comments and check your own spirit – the solution isn’t to hate the hateful, but to bring perspective, God’s perspective. I’m still working through that.
I encourage you to investigate ways you can be a part of relief aid. Prayer, obviously, but are there other things you can do? Here’s a few options to research in case you need them (there are hundreds more):
Compassion International - Haiti: Massive earthquake has created chaos and destruction in Haiti. Children and families are in need. Catholic Relief Services: Address and mail checks to: The Archdiocese of Detroit CRS Relief Efforts (4th Floor) 1234 Washington Blvd., Detroit 48226; donate online by clicking the link at the beginning of this paragraph, or call 800-736-3467. American Red Cross: Go to the Web site by clicking the link at the beginning of this paragraph and find out how to donate and other ways to help, or call 800-REDCROSS.
Wow! How crazy that we’re at the front side of a brand new year. 2010
A friend was trying to think up sayings for 2010…you know, the corny ones like “lose some weight in 2008″ So far none of the ones I’ve heard have hit a chord for me. The only one I could think of is “pick up a pen in 2010″ to try to bring back the art of letter writing. I love receiving handwritten notes or letters and RARELY does that happen anymore as we’ve moved beyond snail mail, to email, to the crazy world of tweets, texts, IM, FB, etc.
Rob and I were trying to think through the year ahead and for the first time in a long time I’m not extremely curious about “what will happen?” 2009 brought so many surprises and excitements that I’m still recovering – in a good way. 
I think it’s okay and actually better for me (God says so!) to just take things one day at a time. As we entered 2009 I had no idea Robbin would get engaged to Jake, Bethany would start a relationship with Dwight, or all the girls would move out by the fall and a few odd assorted happenings in between. But, I am living proof that no matter the highs or lows, God is faithful. God sustains you. God protects you. God comforts you. God LOVES you unconditionally. Wow did I see that played out in our lives this past year! It gives me great courage to live day by day for 2010.
and a brief update from the holiday festivities…
- Dec. 23rd – Whiskey Shrimp Dinner. A great family tradition. Yum! An old recipe my mom discovered on her 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to Iguasu Falls in South America. We almost lit my cupboards and my face on fire when we lit the whiskey to burn off the alcohol. Oh well, what’s a couple of eyebrows.
- Dec. 24th – Christmas Eve services…3:30, 5:30 and 11:oo (Candlelight) Beautiful time to remember Christ’s birth and the peace that can only be found through Jesus as he lived and died and rose so we could live, eternally.
- Dec. 24th – One batch of cinnamon rolls didn’t rise, batch number two finally did, worked on it ’til the wee hours of the morning! I only make them once a year and I was bound and determined to have them this year. First batch literally was a lump of mushy dough.
- Dec. 25th – CHRISTMAS MORNING my favorite! Kelly tradition is to wake everyone up with this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfnXZGBqxFc Took playing the song 3 times this year to wake up everyone. Then it was on to the stockings, then presents, then brunch with more family and friends, then off to the movies for a double feature AVATAR in 3D and Up in the Air.
- Dec. 29th – a great fun day with my friend Debbie Bresina – we started the day in Golden for breakfast, then ended painting plates at a place in Arvada. 9 1/2 hours of good conversation and laughter!
- Dec. 30th – had dinner with the Browns, not my daughter and son-in-law, but our other good friends, Kim and Tim. We literally froze at Wahoo’s Fish Tacos downtown – I guess they don’t believe in heating their restaurant, but we moved on to Starbucks and closed it down, sitting by the fireplace reminiscing and catching up.
- …and many days of hanging out with the best husband in the whole world! His bright idea for being productive was to clean the kitchen. Note, when Rob is a part of the project, be ready! Clean the kitchen meant to remove everything, I MEAN EVERYTHING from every drawer, cupboard, pantry, etc. Clean the kitchen, sort and rearrange all items. The trash man hated us this week I’m sure!
- It was a great two weeks!
a few pictures of the festivities…
…was yesterday for me. Well, actually not FOR me, but as moral support for a client from work. She was nervous about her ability to handle everything in English as her first language is Spanish. So, I went along. As did my son-in-law, Jake, to coach her on the process. As we arrived at the courthouse, they asked if she’d like an interpreter. “Yes.” Well, that can’t happen today because the interpreter was out sick, we were told. I offered my services. They asked if I had credentials. I explained that I wasn’t certified, just pretty much spoke Spanish and interpreted the majority of the time at work. They went to verify that it would be okay with the judge – if it wasn’t going to work, they’d have to postpone her case. We waited….. “Ok, the judge says that would be fine and he is very grateful for your assistance today.” (Little did he know!)
Next stop – holding room. We read over the court rules of conduct and process. I made sure my client understood and then she signed in the appropriate place. Jake gave her some coaching (from past experience? LOL) as to the best way to respond to the prosecutor and judge.
Next stop – prosecutor. Now things get interesting. The prosecutor was a very nice older gentleman. Seemed kind. He asked about my client’s ability to understand English. She said she was nervous about understanding everything. So, I explained that was why I was there. He asked me to sit with her. Then he proceeds to tell us that he really can empathize because his first language is not English, but German.
Now, I don’t know why I do the things I do sometimes…but….I did it. I very animatedly spoke up and said, “German, that’s awesome. I know a German nursery rhyme!” (Like it mattered?) “Which one?” he responded with glee, seriously, with full out glee! “Hanson Klein!” I said. (A looonnnngggg time ago in a different lifetime, my childhood friend’s mother had taught us this German nursery rhyme.) “It’s a song, actually,” he said. “I know…” I replied, then proceeded to start the song. I know, I know – WHO DOES THIS IN COURT? Well, he joined me in singing with gusto and it was a weird little moment – the two of us singing at the top of our lungs this German nursery rhyme. It was as if we were both a little tipsy and were drinking buddies in a bar. Hilarious.
There was some in between moments of having to step out and call my client’s insurance agent to fax over proof of insurance for the violation date, but when we went back in to the Prosecutor’s office he was all grins and full of stories. LOTS of them. He regaled tales of all the times that his knowing German allowed him to surprise various folks who approached his desk. They’d discuss their case in German and turn to him to explain in English and he’d respond in German catching them off guard. Then there was the story of when he was in university and surprised a flight attendant who had been talking about him in German with the fact that he knew German. He’s tell us the stories, then laugh. (I’m pretty sure I’m on his Christmas Card List now! Ha!) It was on the verge of ridiculous now. Another court attendant came in several times to let us know the judge was ready to review the case. He’d wave them away, telling them, “Just a minute, just a minute!” and then he’d finish a story.
As to the charges, he waved his hand, lowered the points and dismissed the violation. She ended up paying a fine, but it could have been worse.
Moral of this case? Don’t try this in court. Or should you? I’m still chuckling as I remember singing a German Nursery Rhyme in court!
Note: It really is a popular Nursery Rhyme ( I spelled it wrong…)
Christmas Light Hero
Now that’s fun! Apparently you ring the doorbell to start the game.
