Technology....Handwritten Letters

I love to write old fashioned handwritten letters and send out cards via snail mail. And I love receiving them too. But honestly, I hate talking on the phone, so email and text seems to be on my "necessity" list. The other day I was handwriting a letter to my cousin in Texas. And unfortunately my brain had been dismissed for a short time and in my "handwritten old fashioned letter", I was writing short form "text" words. Oh my, I had to laugh when I finally welcomed my brain back. Now keep in mind, I'm still learning a lot of "text" language from my kids (while they laugh at my back woods old fashioned brain) . But here's a few words/abbreviations that I used. "Lmk when u r out of the hsptl, Il cal u sune aftr."

My cousin is older than me, so I'm sure if she would have received this, I would have received a phone call of confusion. Most of us can probably understand my above text language, but it's kind of like reading a license plate while sitting at a stop light. Most are pretty easy and quickly jump out at you, but others...goodness, some are really hard. It will bother me relentlessly until I figure those out, so I usually write them down, go home and figure them out or initiate my kids help. I guess it's a fun game to play while sitting at one of Harrisonburg's long and unending stupid stoplights. I live out in the country, we don't have stop lights. So when I go to Harrisonburg or other cities around here, I have to find something to entertain myself while waiting. Okay, so I'm getting off the subject.

Today's technology is so advance and fun, that sometimes they crossover with each other. And confusion may arise. I enjoy email, text and blogging. But I try not to forget the old fashioned joy of handwriting a letter. The first time I ever wrote my cousin in Texas, she replied via email that she hasn't received a handwritten letter in a very long time. I encourage the "art" of handwritten letters and I hope it's something everyone will try again.

One of many wonderful memories I have is, when I was growing up, one of my Aunt's moved to different states and she used to write me letters all the time. I treasured those letters so much. And I have one from my old Sunday School teacher that she wrote me. I was maybe 9 or 10 when she wrote it.

I challenge you to pick one person per month and just write a letter to them. Not on your computer or typewriter. Simply with a pen and paper. The recipient will be both surprised and delighted.

I John 1:4

I Am

I'm not sure where I first saw this, but ever since I did find it I absolutely love it. And I keep it on my desk to remind me that I shouldn't dwell in my past mistakes and regrets, because God doesn't.

I was regretting the past

and fearing the future.

Suddenly my Lord was speaking,

"My name is I Am"

He paused, I waited.

He continued,

"When you live in the past

with it's mistakes and regrets,

it is hard. I am not there.

My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future,

With it's problems and fears,

it is hard. I am not there.

My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment

it is not hard. I am here.

My name is I Am.

Written by; Helen Mallicoat

You Know You Have Kids When....

I love being a Mom. I've always wanted to be a Mom and one of my main goals in life was to have kids. I have a wonderful 15 year old son and a wonderful 8 year old daughter. My kids are my life and I pray that my husband & I do a great job raising them. Don't get the title wrong, I absolutely know I have kids. They're with me all the time and they're especially in my heart.

This week I've been noticing even more that I am absolutely truly blessed with kids. And anyone who knows me or is around me, knows how blessed I am.

So I found that my kids had written their names all over my Grand Caravan in the dust left from our long road...this isn't the first time and wont be the last. People at church seem to get a kick out of "reading" my van each week. They [the boys] usually have "Redneck Transportation" written on the back, with all their derby car numbers. Today, I found cooked oatmeal in my purse at the bank...imagine the look on the bank tellers face when I pulled my hand out of my purse with a glop of apple cinnamon oatmeal. Oh yummy, NOT! I was taking a shower the other day and my 6 year old niece and my daughter used almost 5 lbs of sugar to make a "surprise". We are well familiar with the emergency room that my son, his friends and my daughter have particular seats in the waiting area they always sit in. My son and his friends like demolition derby cars and lawn mower derbies. So if I leave them at the house by themselves for a short time, my rule list consist of....no guns, no shooting guns, no fires, no blowing up stuff and of course no girls. So far, so good. My daughter whose bedtime on school nights is 8:30 P.M. always decides at 10 P.M. that she wants to do her hair, play with Lincoln Logs or go outside to play with the cats. And let's not forget about the bicycle that's parked right along the drive way where Mom can back over it. Uggghhhh.

So, yes, I am very blessed. My kids are polite, Christians, attend and participate in church activities faithfully, they're good friends and I can't say they're "typical" kids, but they're my kids. And God blessed me when they arrived. Praise God for all things!!

My New Cruet

Okay, so the title already has you bewildered. Right? Well, my Mom bought me a new Cruet.
I know everyone has some weird obsessions. Well, ONE of mine is my Cruet. And during
the summer some little kids (I wont mention any names, LOL) broke mine. We keep vinegar in
ours. And we use vinegar on almost everything we eat and I clean with it too. So it's a well used item.

Why post a story about it? Well, apparently Cruet's are a special obsession in my family. My Mom, my Aunts
and Grandma's all have one. Now, I know...most families have them. But we hit panic mode when ours is
out of commission. So when my Mom surprised me with this, I was so excited and I felt like my little friend
was back on my kitchen counter waiting to be used. So I went to the store bought red leaf and green leaf
lettuce so I could make lettuce salad with our home made dressing using vinegar, of course. Thanks Mom,
I love it!!

So what's an obsession you have? I also have a big obsession with baskets and paper. I have an
abundance of both! Share your normal and/or weird obsessions with us. I know my friend Sally from church on her blog shares that she loves animal crackers. Come on, share with us!!

Prayers For My Dad

My Dad left for the Ukraine this morning for a Missions trip. He is a "Building Missionary", he helps rebuild churches and some homes due to natural disasters. He's spent most his time in Mississippi rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina, most recently in Iowa from floods. Now he's on his way to Ukraine to help build churches.

I'm asking everyone to pray for his safety and all the people traveling with him. My Dad is a Christian and faithfully let's God direct his path.

Praying for you Dad!! Thank you to everyone who prays for him and his friends.