(Not) Saying What I Think...

For me, one good thing that has surprisingly come through blogging is a new understanding of the concept of not necessarily saying what I think! Obviously, I have understood this concept for awhile and I think under most conditions can conduct myself in a fairly socially appropriate way. On the other hand, I tend to highly value honesty and freedom of expression...I don't mind going off on tangents myself and don't mind when others do. (This is not a universally shared principle!:) And while I might not mind, it's certainly true that I might violently disagree!

Being a blogger (whatever all that means) kinda puts you on the lookout for things to blog about. Something will happen and I'll think"Oh I could blog about that"....an idea will be triggered or just pop in my head and I'll think "That would make a good blog topic!" Pretty silly, actually! Or...pretty valuable, for staying a little more aware...grounded in the moment.

But....is it always necessary to spill out ones' ideas? In this very complicated world of constricted communication, how much of what we say/write is accurately perceived by those doing the listening/reading? And....what is really valuable in what I'm thinking....what really deserves to be written down for others to view?

My more open-minded self says"Open the door....let it all out!" This is the me that said as a very young child to her parents: "Little kids have rights, too!" Even then, I thought having strong opinions was a good thing! Bless them for not stifling that spirit (too much!) or making that little girl conform to a super-compliant, hyper-vigilant model.

And, to a large degree, I think that is the best way: the more information (even the seemingly unimportant) the better, for relational understanding to occur. But the grown-up, mature? me understands that truly there are times when it is better to see and not be heard...to watch more than you react. That many of my thoughts ARE foolish and need refinement. That it's just OK to have an idea and not necessarily share it. Fundamentally, that my opinions, beliefs, and beloved dreams must ultimately only please One Observer. Who am I writing for?

Finally, dear readers: Comfort yourselves with these words: She really only posts a small portion of what she thinks. Only imagine what she is NOT saying!

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"Two Peas in a Pod"

I am MORE than happy to say I think these new little twins (born to my friends Susanna and Lance) are ADORABLE!! Check out their story here! I am so thankful that they have arrived safely.

Summing Up our Cinn. trip...

While watching the debate tonight (oh joy...) I am finally getting my Cinn. pictures posted...I know you all have been losing sleep waiting on this to happen. It was a very short but very good couple of days...we managed to pack in alot!

On Sat. we spent some time at

one of our favorite places,

Krohn Conservatory.

This place is a beautiful Cinn.treasure

and a perfect spot to visit

(and even have some good theological discussions!)

I love this stain glass hanging at the front of the building.

It was such an honor to have my cousins, Chuck and Janet,

drive over from WV (where they pastor) to spend the day with us. They specialize in sharing plenty of love and humor.

It was really fun!!

Aren't they a good-lookin couple?!

My dear old friend Sonja also joined us (she's pretty close to family!) Last night I was looking at cards and I saw this quote from Maya Angelo: "I sustain myself with the love of my friends." Being with Sonja is always a sustaining event. There might be better pics., but this one is pretty representative of us.

I stole this shot from Sonja's blog (cause I like it!:) of our "almost visit" to the Underground Railroad Museum...maybe next time!!!
And here we are...i might use this for a Christmas card.

I was deeply excited to eat some Raspberry Chip ice-cream from Graters!!:)

Chuck had to get this shirt...(he's a very humble man!:) (Wishing I had bought one too!)

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We really enjoyed spending Sunday with our friends at the Burlington Church. Here's Mom and Regina...a faithful friend.

With friends & fellow-bloggers (and sisters in law) Patty and Kelly. I really like how this crazy world of blogging can keep us connected even if far apart.

The Stetlers treated us like royalty as they are so gifted in doing. These dear friends truly exemplify a life of service and grace. Their family (the Millers) were the revival guests and it was a pleasure to fellowship with them as well. The morning service esp. was an encouragement to rely fully on the strength and empowerment of the Lord in order to face the realities of life. What a powerful realization that His resources are more than able to meet our needs!

That quickly sums up our little trip. Thanks to all who made it so special!!

Responding...

Tonight I have returned from the journey up North and will quickly respond to the last post's comments!

~So very fun to hear from you all....and "Welcome" to some kinda-new commenters. I did check out the "ask sister mary martha" blog...good stuff...thanks!

~I have not read any other books by Martha Beck...but yes, she is the one who wrote about choosing life for her son with Down's Syndrome. I want to read that one too. Let me reiterate that Leaving the Saints is a very tough book....not a casual read.

~Taking down the political post: I really didn't think it was that controversial. Thanks to my loyal fans for your nice words:) I just feel so annoyed by the silliness of it all, that I don't want my admittedly lowly blog to have any part in propagating more unnecessary political silliness. (see, now it makes perfect sense...right?!)

~The trip: Driving approx. 4 days to be in Cinn. for only approx. 2 days was probably not the brightest thing to do....but my family has always specialized in this sort of thing! (Why let circumstances stop us now!!) All the same, it was a very nice trip and we thankfully had a safe time and no problems. (Thanks for your prayers.) It was soooo good and encouraging to be with dear friends and family! And, most importantly, Mom really enjoyed it....which was the whole point! Pictures shall be forthcoming....(don't get too excited!!!......)

It's Monday...

It's Monday and I'm tired of having that political post up so I'm takin it down! I trust ya'll had a good weekend. I made the rather foolish choice to have company for Sunday lunch yesterday, and about wore myself out....but all went well, and I'm glad we did it! Not the smartest thing to do in the midst of getting us ready for this week's trip to Cincinnati. We appreciate your prayers and (while a bit overwhelmed about it all) I am excited to be there and see friends.

I am still enjoying working through the Mitford series...it is such delightful reading. But of course I can't be satisfied with that alone, and must also mix in some highly complicated reading as well! Last night I finished reading Leaving the Saints (Martha Beck)...a memoir examining complex family problems and what it means to leave a very restrictive religious system (the Mormon church.) I definitely recommend this book, but it is a VERY intense, difficult read (and quite uncomfortable~but imo, uncomfortable is sometimes a good place to be). And let me be clear that I don't necessarily agree with all of the final conclusions. Still, I learned so much about that group and it is EXTREMELY interesting!! My already critical assumptions were overwhelmingly confirmed. More than anything, though, I appreciate stories of overcoming trauma and troubles by establishing a relationship with God that is personal ~ not relying only on the constructs established by others. A quote from Beck: "I've learned that the worst pain and fear I've ever experienced has only deepened my ability to experience joy. I feel this even when I'm hurting, because while pain and pleasure are mutually exclusive, pain and joy are not.----Once you're sure that God is waiting in the acceptance of every true thing, even pain, I'm not sure despair is possible." (emphasis mine)

I am grateful that I am sure that God is faithful, merciful, and loving in every situation we face! Blessings on your week!

Houston Pics.....

(a boring title but the gist of this post!)

On our last day in Houston, Mom and I went to the Houston Holocaust Museum. Enjoy is not the right word, but I always like to go there. It is a really well-done museum. There are two special exhibits currently: On Darfur and on the preserved artwork of children from the Nazi ghetto of Terezin, near Prague in the Czech Republic. Over 10,000 children from that town alone were murdered in WWII. The interesting thing is that I saw a similar exhibit when we were in Prague on TLC. It is always important to take the time to examine the emotional impact of that horrible, hateful time. And that wasn't just then....similar atrocities are still occurring in our time. These issues of international justice should be more of a focus in this political season and more significantly, important to us all. This quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. was used in the Darfur exhibit: "In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

I am enjoying learning how to use my new little camera that I finally got for a great deal ($150 total!)

Here are a few pics:

Based on this poem (written by Pavel Friedmann, a young boy held captive in Terezin), the butterfly has become "a symbol of freedom from oppression, intolerance, and hatred."
Mom was also really interested in this moving exhibit and all the beautiful creativity.

At one of our favorite restaurants in Houston, Grotto's.
About to consume a cupcake from a fantastic place: The Dessert Gallery...yummo!

I think this goofy picture shows how fanatically obsessed

I am with a good cupcake

and also how very tired I was feeling!!

A Balance Beam?

I admit to getting a little caught up in Olympic Gymnastics this year...it was great (but stressful) watching! And I got pretty fired up when I thought our girls were getting scored unfairly. Thankfully, it's over now, and I can rest easy knowing Nastia and Shawn came home with golds!:)

I found it all quite emotional...the pressure, the tears, the families, the drama of it all. And I see some applicable truths. Balancing is tough stuff. And, let's just be honest, all things aren't equal. Some balancing acts are more difficult than others. Some life beams are more "narrow", shall we say, than others. And at the end of most days...there are no medals...no cheering crowds, actually no one noticing at all.

I recently read after someone saying that our lives are lived in 30 minute increments. That it's the little decisions along the way (when noone's watching) that accumulate into the larger story of who and what we are. If that's true, I would certainly be in the group that more often than not is found falling, stumbling on the beam....not stepping confidently and clearly in the routine of my life.

But this writer (Beth Coppedge in The High Calling) also adds that "to make life-giving God choices on a daily basis we need the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit." It is only by His spirit that we are motivated to pray, to seek his Heart, to seek the changing of our own hearts, to live in His presence and receive power and strength. These are words I need to hear...to believe...to enact!Feeling successful is nice but not the point. (That can be a problem for some of us!) Probably there will never be medals given for either surviving the practical trials of life or pressing through to spiritual maturity. (And when we make it to the Finish Line I imagine our "rewards" will seem so small and our only desire will be to lay them at the feet of Jesus.) But keeping in step with the Spirit on the journey....that's the only way to maintain gracefulness on life's shaky beam!

(I wrote these thoughts back during the Olympics, but just now getting around to posting them. After the past whirlwind of a week, I feel them even more strongly!)