Pastor Jim

Everytime we come to the East coast, we spend at least one day with a pastor friend of ours, Jim Johnson. He is probably my second afro-american friend (behind Kniambi Jones in 6th grade, birthday March 3--haha) seeing as how there aren't a lot of afro-americans where I'm from--at least not compared to the East coast! Anyway, he is a lot of fun, and Andy and I really like him a lot. Tonight he took us out to eat at TGI Fridays. He said something really funny on the way there. He said that everyone should speak in third grade english so that everyone knows whats going on, "otherwise, things just kinda hang out there being all ambiguous and stuff." I thought that was funny, and true. So many times we can misunderstand each other in relationships and in everyday conversations. If we just talked like we would to a third grader, there probably would be more clarity in the world. This reminds me of my favorite word in the English language: nebulous. I remember teaching Paige that word after I discovered it. I don't know which teacher in highschool introduced me to that word, probably Alix P. Martin.

The last two days

Oh my word! The last two days have been so fun for me! Andy and I are out in New Jersey/Pennsylvania/Maryland/Delaware/Virginia this week and next. Yesterday we took a day trip to Lancaster, PA. It is well know for its Amish community. We got there kind of late in the morning, and it was kind of a crummy day as far as the weather, but we wanted to walk around the shops. We were able to go into many neat shops that have the nice Amish woodwork, quilts, jams, jellys, candy, etc. It was really fun to see the horse-drawn buggies, and the little girls running around in their dresses and bonnets. That afternoon we went to Sight and Sound. It was in one word--Awesome!! I can't even describe how much it meant to me to see this drama. This drama team performed the creation story in musical form. It was probably 2 1/2 hours in length. If any of you are ever near Lancaster, I need to tell you to go to Sight and Sound! While we were in Amish country Andy made up this song as we were going down the road. It was so impromptu, and it made me laugh right out loud!


The root beer I want to drink
The woodwork is hard to beat,
Oh! To be Amish!
Oh! To be Amish!

The jelly is yummy to taste
the salsa is even better
Oh! To be Amish!
Oh! To be Amish!

The Amish ride in little buggies
Until they get hit by a school bus
Woe! To the Amish!
Woe! To the Amish!


That song made me laugh so hard--especially since Andy doesn't usually sing. But it was a song just waiting to come out, I guess.

Then today we spent all afternoon with the Gazaways: Jerry, Barb, and Aidan. That was so fun! We met them at Houlihans in the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, NJ. We had a great time talking about our trip, Aidan, memories, etc. Then they took us to Tom and Mel's house (which they weren't there because they are on a cruise). We talked for awhile, and then Jerry wanted to take us on a "who cares tour" of Camden--except he said that we would care! :) It was disturbing to see the condition of that city--named the second worst city in America, besides Detroit. It just revalidated the need for missions in North America to us! There were a lot of fun times with Jerry and Barb, and we laughed A LOT! It was so fun! But the best line of the night came at supper (at Olive Garden) when Andy asked Jerry when he usually leaves for California in the winter and Jerry said "oh, somewhere between the 31st and the 1st." (meaning 31st of december and 1st of January.) Oh man! Barb and I both laughed! It was one of those times where I could not stop giggling about it--and I felt bad for laughing, I didn't want to make anyone feel bad, but it was so funny!
These last two days have been wonderful. Thank you, Jesus, for family and friends who are as close as family. What a blessing to me at this time!

Memories of August 28, 2007

One month ago today my sweet son Collin was born. I remember him today as I go through life's normal activities, but it doesn't seem normal to me anymore. I remember waking up in my hospital room. I felt awake, and I was surprised since I had to take a sleeping pill to get to sleep the night before. Dr. McCarville came in to do an ultrasound and we found that the fluid had not reformed around Collin. Dr. said that I could induce labor, or wait it out. If I wanted to wait until I naturally went into labor, then I would have to wait at the hospital in Des Moines. I did not want to leave Marshalltown! I had a peace in my heart that everything was supposed to end at home in Marshalltown. Andy and I spent a long time together talking and crying. At 10:00 we met with Pastor Hirsch, Nancy Pins, and Andrea Terrones. We talked to them about what we should do. Should we induce labor, or go to Des Moines? We decided to wait it out and go to Des Moines, even though in my heart I wanted to stay in Marshalltown. After they left, I lay in my bed and contemplated what would happen next, but I noticed that I was starting to get more and more uncomfortable. Nancy informed me that my pain was a significant change, and she told Dr. McCarville. The Dr. checked and I was dialated and starting labor. We decided to induce labor and speed the process along. Time went really fast after that. I don't remember a lot about who I talked with or who I cried with. But I know there were people who came to pray and to wait with me. I remember hearing that Deborah was coming to see me, I was so thankful, I cried. The pain got worse and Dr. Dowell came in to check on me. He told my nurse, Kristi, that I was ready to deliver. The labor went quickly and I do not remember a lot of pain. Collin was born at 3:20pm. Andy and I got to hold him and look at him. We shared him with our parents and family who were there, along with some special friends. We loved looking at his mouth, ears, hands, feet, nose, shoulders...everything. We have great memories of admiring Collin. We took pictures to help us remember him wrapped in his green blanket. I had no idea how I would ever give him up to the nurse. I dreaded having to let him go. To this day, I don't know how I did. People say I was strong. I know it was God-supplied strength. Right now I feel weaker. So many memories of that day flood my mind now. I hope I never forget.

1 month ago today....

One month ago today I sat at work, 5 months pregnant. It was a Monday and I was feeling tired. We had gotten home that morning around 1:30 (I think) from a long drive home from the Chicago area. I remember being at work and seeing people that I knew. Linda Holvick gave me a hug and congratulated me on my pregnancy. It was the first time that we had seen each other in a long time. I remember sitting all day beside a lady who had a bad cold, and I prayed that I would not get sick because I didn't want to harm the baby. I remember saying to her at the end of the day..."I think we're all ready to go home tonight." I was tired. I went home like normal and Andy and I decided to have pizza and watch a movie. Our Monday nights used to be pretty much useless since we were so tired after presenting on Sunday and driving all night on Sunday. Then my water broke. I did not know what was going on. I was so scared. I called my sister...not home. I called my mom...not home. I finally decided to call 911, and without them confirming my fears, they told me that someone would be out to my house to pick me up shortly. I rode to the hospital with Andy in the back of an ambulance. Mom followed us in her car. I was so scared, yet I felt confident in God's ability to take care of me. We sat and waited for the nurse to take us to a room. We cried. A nurse finally came and we followed her to a procedure room. They still did not yet confirm my fear that my water broke, although Andy and I were both pretty sure that is what happened. After doing some labwork, it was still not conclusive to the Dr. whether my water had broken or not, so they transferred me to the OB department. A new Dr. came in and we did an ultrasound. Our worst fears were confirmed...my water broke and short of a miracle I would go into labor sometime within the next 48 hours. I remember having a soothing peace that if it was the Lord's will, that He would cause the fluid to reform and I would carry the baby to full term. The Dr. said that sometimes happens. We prayed. We wanted everyone to pray. I felt the most calm when others were praying with me. It all happened so fast. I went into the hospital around 7:30, and before I knew it, it was 10:30 and they were asking me if I wanted help getting to sleep. We prepared ourselves to spend the night there; Mom stayed with us. I laid in bed thinking about everything, not able to slow down my thoughts or my heart. I prayed that if it was the Lord's will that He would reform the fluid and that I would not go into labor. August 27, 2007. A day that ended much differently than it started. I will remember this day forever.

Questions.

Why me?

What do I have to learn?

What do You seek to teach me?

How will this change me?

Will I be okay?

How will I go on?

What's the next step?

I can't go back to normal.

Such a long time!!!

It has been a long time since I've written anything on this blog. It's hard for me to think of things to write. But I guess I should have something to write at least every week since we travel someplace new every weekend. Sorry it's been so long, Deb. I do have something interesting to relay this morning though. This last weekend was full of things that took a long time! Andy and I were on our way to Chesterton, IN. Chesterton is just across the Illinois/Indiana border. Our estimated total time of travel was going to be around 6 hours, not including stops to get out and walk, use the restroom, or have lunch. Instead our trip took a total of 12 hours! It took us 6 hours to get to the toll booth on interstate 80-94, and another 6 hours to get from that toll booth to our destination (that leg of the trip was only supposed to be a half hour). It was awful! I had to get out of that car and walk and go to the bathroom so bad! By the time we finally got to a gas station, it was another long wait just to use the restroom! We got back in the car only to join another traffic jam, so we stopped to have pizza. After all of that, we finally got to the pastor's house--only 6 hours late! Thank the Lord we didn't have any trouble getting back home last night. For those of you wondering why the traffic was so bad, it was because of the recent rains in the Chicago area last week. I guess there was standing water on the Eastbound lanes, so they were forcing everyone off of the interstate at exit 1 in Indiana. I'm just thankful that we encountered that on our way out, and not on our way home.

July 7-8, 2007

Dear Diary,

This weekend was a difficult weekend for me. Our meeting this last Sunday was 7 hours away in Nebraska. This meant that we had to leave on Saturday morning by 9:45 at the latest to make it there by 4:30, which is when we try to arrive every Saturday at each of our meeting destinations. We got off to a slow start Saturday because we were both so tired. This week was hard for both of us with the 4th throwing off our sleeping schedule, and Andy has been working tirelessly on a craft that we're planning on giving the 150 kids we meet at the camp out East next month. So, both of us walked through our traveling routine with no motivation or energy. We finally got on the road about 45 minutes later than we had planned. It was easy to tell we were both desperately short on sleep. I was looking at our checklist for the weekend and I saw that we were not scheduled for any of the morning services, but only for the evening service which was scheduled to start at 7:30--what?! That means the earliest we'd get back into town on Sunday night/Monday morning was 4:00am! At that point, I had given in to grumbling and complaining. In my mind I had all these thoughts going on: I started to wonder why we were traveling all that way for just one service, which probably wouldn't be well attended, and ultimately put our health and well-being at risk, when we could be getting so much done at home instead. I couldn't see it at the time, but I realize now that I was sounding a lot like the Israelites wandering in the desert who questioned why God had led them out into the desert just to make them wander for 40 years. They began to grumble and complain and doubt God's leading on their lives. The Lord has led Andy and I out into this pre-field ministry. We've been doing this for over a year now. We've been presenting for 12 out of the last 13 weeks, which has left both of us feeling very tired and ready for a vacation. Saturday night I picked up my Bible and started to look through it turning to each of my bookmarks. I have several bookmarks in my Bible, which I like to revisit sometimes to see why I have bookmarked them. That night I turned to my bookmark in 1 Chronicles. It was a letter from Aunt Janet. The verse talked about serving God with all my heart and a willing mind...how convicting! I turned next to my bookmark in Psalm 9. It was a torn out devo. from "Our Daily Bread." One of the verses talked about giving thanks to God with all my heart. These two passages had such similar wording and it was a good lesson for me: serve the Lord with all my heart and a willing mind, and give thanks with my whole heart. Even though this journey may be challenging, I shouldn't question God and why He may have us attend these sometimes difficult meetings. He has us in each place for a reason, and I should be thankful for each opportunity we have to present how God has led us, and to share His work. Maybe this weekend His reason was just to teach me this lesson, and reestablish my outlook on pre-field ministry. By the way, the pastor heard that we were traveling back after the night service, and moved the time from 7:30 to 6:00 for us so we could get an earlier start. So, we got home at 2:30 instead of 4:00! I thanked the Lord right away for that--with ALL my heart!

A little mover and shaker

Well, Mom and I went to my three month exam with Dr. Banitt yesterday. At this appointment we had the head-to-toe exam, and then we got to hear the heartbeat again. Andy has already heard and seen the baby, so this time Mom got to come along. It was really special to have Mom there with me. She said it brought back a lot of memories to hear the heart beat. We got to talk about a lot of her baby experiences. It was a little difficult to hear the heart beat this time, and when we did it was kind of soft. Dr. Banitt said that's because our baby is moving around so much! She said "Holy cow! The baby is moving a lot!" So, I don't know if that's a good sign or not, or if it's just normal behavior, but our baby is a little mover and shaker! I typed in "baby dancing" in Google to find a picture to put on this post and it gave me a picture from Dirty Dancing! "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."

Title me this...

In reference to the title of my blog "Time's a wastin'. " This is a song that was sung by Reese Witherspoon in the movie, "Walk the Line." It is one of my favorite movies of all time. The combined talent of Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix is amazing! I still marvel that they both did all of their own singing. I enjoy biopic movies (ie: Ray, Finding Neverland, The Pianist, A Beautiful Mind, Diary of Anne Frank, Catch me if you Can, Selena...to name a few). I enjoy a lot of movies. Andy and I have Netflix, and I always look forward to getting that next movie in the mail. We recently saw "Music and Lyrics" with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. It was okay. I liked the song that they wrote together in the movie, it was pretty.

I've been inspired to write about movies after last night's AFI special of the top 100 movies of all time. I was surprised to see some of the placements. For example, Ben Hur was #100, falling 28 spots from the list 10 years ago. I was surprised to see such a dramatic drop--and especially that "Toy Story" followed it at #99. I thought that was a strange pairing. I was glad to see that "The Shawshank Redemption" and "12 Angry Men" was added to this year's list. Not to mention an appearance by M. Night Shyamalan's "The Sixth Sense." I love all his movies. I still have not seen "Citizen Kane" which has claimed the #1 spot consistently throughout the years. So, I don't know if that is a deserved honor or not. I also began to see a trend with Tom Hanks movies, he was in 5 out of the 100 movies. Maybe they should have also included "Castaway" in the list.

Question for the readers: What is your favorite movie genre, or if you can dare to name your favorite movie, what would it be?

First addition!

I've decided to start a blog mostly for the reading pleasure of my sisters. I like to read their blogs and keep up with their lives. Now that my life is getting busier and my family is expanding, I think it's time to start recording my journey not only for others to read, but for me too. Today I am tired. I am at my job in which I spend eight plus hours sitting at a computer taking phone calls. I work with the public, and sometimes that can be interesting. One interesting thing I've noticed while working at a doctor's office: how do you say your date of birth? Do you say November 28th, 1982, or do you say 11-28-82? One older gentlemen calls and would say, for example, 28th day, 11th month, 1982. I've noticed that the older population has a lot of different ways to say their date of birth, and most of the time, I don't understand what date they are trying to tell me.

Mostly I am tired today because I got home late from our meeting last night. We were in Milledgeville, IL--near Rockford. We met some great people at this church. They were a blessing to us. They had a missionary cupboard and I got a new tie for Andy and some thank you notes. I also took a pink baby blanket in hopes that our baby will be a girl and I can use it for her. If not, it will make a good gift for someone else. I also took a green blanket for myself, or for a bed in the future. I just wanted it because it was green. :) They also gave us a box full of grocery items. I am excited about this because it has a lot of cereal and cracker type stuff, and that is my basic menu right now.

Deb asked this weekend what types of food really don't sound good to me right now, so I thought I would record everything that has consistently sounded gross to me in the last 2 1/2 months: Doritos, salad, okay I can't go on because just thinking about this is making me gag. Instead I will talk about the foods that always sound good to me: mac and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers (maybe from Arbys?)--basically all forms of chicken. Glad to see that my main staples in my diet have not changed! :)

Well, hopefully this is just the first of many thought provoking entries by me...thanks for reading!