Trying to Take Action

I've recently been searching for some sort of direction in my life. Some sort of way to make a difference. I'm blessed with a great job and a wonderful family, but I often wonder that if I am making the non-work and non-family time in my life just as purposeful.

Recently, one of my family members posted a couple of blog entries that brought about clarity and gave me food for thought. I'm linking the two posts here, because if you have a chance, I encourage you to read them. The first is entitled Spectacular and the second is called It's a Girl!

Anyway, in my quest to work on small ways to help others, I want to make you all aware of an organization called Compassion International. They are a child advocacy ministry that works to break the cycle of poverty and at the same time sharing the news of Jesus. While I realize that poverty is such an overwhelming problem, I also want us to think about whether or not we are being compassionate towards poverty.

Over the last year at my work, in all the different service projects and activities that we do, I have really tried hard to teach the kids how to minister (both spiritually and physically) to those who need help. We have become such a blessed society that when we are faced with the ugly truth of poverty, I think we react in a very jaded way, and my hope is that we start to move away from that cynical reaction.

So, my question to you is what you are doing to be more compassionate?

My Interesting Day

Well, it has been an interesting day so far.

For those of you in the Houston area, we have all been "blessed" with a torrential downpour for the last few hours. I just got home from running some errands, and my clothes are soaked. At least it is an excuse to put on pajamas.

While I was out and about, I was on the phone with my mother who is at my niece's track meet. Midway through the conversation, my mother starts yelling at the top of her lungs. Apparently, one of my niece's classmates was running the hurdles, and mother felt the need to cheer her on while talking on the phone with me. So, my eardrum gets busted to the sounds of "Go, Axi! You can do it! Keep going! I don't know where the finish line is, but keep going." Now first of all, I feel for the girl because yes, that really is the girl's name (poor girl), and secondly, my mother needs to work on her cheering because that was just sad.

I woke up really early this morning realizing that I had forgotten to put the beans on to soak overnight. So, I went ahead and got up and did that so I could make some baked beans tonight.

Then, I figured that while I was up, I would go ahead and pick up a few items that I forgot to get at the store. One of the items I needed was Children's Benadryl. My dogs have bad allergies, and while I was at the vet yesterday, they suggested I put them back on Benadryl. Well, apparently they have stopped making both the chewables and the tablet form of Children' Benadryl, so I decided to look at adult Benadryl to see if I could just break a tablet in half. As I was reading the back of the box, I saw the warning label. Printed on the back of the box was "Benadryl should not be given to make a child sleepy." I started giggling in the store. Then I picked up a number of other brands of allergy medicine, and Benadryl was the only one with that warning.

I also got to spend a great deal of time in Mardel's today. We have a new one in my area of town, and I just walked up and down the aisles until my heart was content.

I just can't imagine my day becoming any more exciting.

You'll Never Guess...

If only I had taken my laptop home last night, you guys would have heard about this so much sooner, but I didn't. So, here goes.

I recorded Monday's episode of Late Night with David Letterman because Mike and Mike (of ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning) were going to be on as guests. So, late last night, I was watching it, and you'll never guess what happened.

David Letterman referenced a children's church song.

Yep, I kidd you not.

Mike Golic was being self-deprecating about his football career, and Dave said, "Don't hide your light under a bushel."

I nearly fell out of my chair.

The only thing that would have made it better was if he had also done the hands signs. I guess stranger things have happened, though.

Can Cake Decorating Really Be a Reality Show?

Okay, so I have a new favorite reality show. It is called Last Cake Standing, and while it isn't a full-fledged reality show (it is only 4 or 5 weeks long), I absolutely love it. Who knew that cake decorating could turn into reality television?

I have always been a reality show fan (e.g. American Idol, Amazing Race, Project Runway, etc.), but for some reason, this one fascinates me more than any other.

For those who haven't seen it, it started with 6 famous cake decorators (the ones that are always on the Food Network Challenges) and they were given a task. At the end of the task, someone is either voted off (week 1) or booted off by the judges (this week) or who knows what else...maybe shot out of a cake cannon. The decorators take it very seriously!

This morning, I had a Children's Ministry Network meeting with other children's ministers from the Houston area. Before the meeting actually got underway, we were all visiting about a couple of items that each of us had come across over the last few months. As we were discussing the ups and downs and the drama that accompanied each of these occurences, someone threw out the comment that with all the different dynamics that play a part in a church, we could almost have our own reality tv show.

I'm thinking that might not be the best idea, but if we did, I would probably watch.

Embrace Your Pastiness

Come on, everybody. Embrace your inner pastiness!

This is the time of year that I have to trade in my SPF 15 for a wonderful SPF 85 (Neutrogena makes a wonderful one). The sun is shining full force, and I can feel myself getting a sunburn as I make the drive into work.

Because of my tendency to burn at the sight of sun (I have often wondered if I am part Albino), I have always just had to embrace my inner pastiness. However, now it seems like America is doing the same. A couple of doctors who are endorsed by the American Cancer Society have begun a campaign called "Pasty by choice."

Can I tell you how thrilled I am that I now have a group of people championing my inability to tan. This summer is offering up a whole lot of possibilities. Now, instead of keeping the embarrassment that is the glare of my ultra-white legs covered by long pants and skirts, I can give them some freedom and bare my whiteness.

You might even see me proudly wearing a "pasty by choice" clothing item. Now that being pasty is cool, the possibilities are endless.

Now, if only they would come up with the color "pasty" to put in a crayon box.

The Worst Pedicure EVER!

So, this morning I was out running errands. Picking up stuff for bible class tomorrow. Finding a fabric that wasn't going to make Queen Esther looking like a 1980s prom queen with dyables. Getting a few groceries. Finding an Easter craft for our service project. Stuff like that.

While I was out, I decided to stop and get a pedicure. Now, I don't do this often. In fact, about the only time I get pedicures is heading into summer and during the summer (and even then, I try to only get one a month so that I am not spendind too much money) because my feet live and flip flops, and there is nothing that makes me more self-conscious than awful looking feet in flip flops.

I stopped at a new place to get my pedicure. It looked like a very nice nail salon, and it was fairly new, so I figured all would be good. So, I pick my color, stick my feet in the warm sudsy water, and get ready to relax. As the nail lady does her work, I sit there and almost doze off. That is until the leg and foot massage begin.

Oh. My. Goodness. Do you remember the episode of Friends where Monica gives Chandler a massage, and it is the most painful thing he has experienced? That was exactly what my leg and foot massage was like. It was PAINFUL. And every so often, she would look up and ask, "That feels good, doesn't it?" To which I would fight back the tears and nod yes.

Now, I know you are asking why didn't I just say something to her about the tremendous torture she was inflicting on me. Well, it was because she hadn't actually painted my toenails yet, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings in case that made her mad and that caused her to retaliate on my toes.

I am fairly certain I am going to have large bruises on my shins and the tops of my feet tomorrow. In fact, I may just have to wear houseshoes for the next few days since I am fairly certain I can't put shoes on.

On the plus side, my toes look really good!

Your Welcome, IRS (Not)

So, I just finished giving quite a bit of my hard earned money to the IRS, and I am not too happy about it. Many of you have heard of my tax woes, so I won't rehash them. I will, however, tell you that even though I have now raised the amount taken out of my check each month, I am seriously contemplating selling a kidney to offset next year's tax issues. Do I have any takers????

Have You Ever...

Have you ever tried to wash your television remote control?

Somehow my AT&T Uverse remote control got in the washing machine last night as I was putting on a load of laundry. This morning when I was moving the towels from the washer to the drier, I noticed the remote control sitting at the bottom of my washing machine.

While I was tempted to transfer it to the dryer with the rest of the washed items, instead I took it into the living room to see if it still worked.

It does! I admit that I was more than a little suprised.

At that point, I was really quite tempted to go ahead and throw it in the dryer just so I could see if it would still work after being both washed and dried, but I didn't.