End of the Year Blah's...

Here it is just days after Thanksgiving 2011, and I am feeling bogged down and unmotivated to do all those things I must do. I am feeling defeated in many ways and disconnected. Somehow I feel as though I do not have what it takes to do all that is required of me. For example, right now I should be reading several chapters in several textbooks for class on Tuesday. I should be working on (and completing) my literature review. I should be cleaning, doing laundry, and organizing my home. I should be exercising. I should be in better communication with friends and family. I should be caught up on my Bible reading. I should not fret over all these things. I do not want to be distracted by so many externals that scream for my attention. I don't want to fall prey to procrastination any more than I already have. I wish that I had answers to all the medical mysteries that have been problematic for me for months. I need to focus on all that I have to be thankful for; for the countless ways that God has been my Defender, Provider, and Advocate.

--Just thought I'd share my two cents...

After a significant absence from the blogosphere, I am returning! I will strive to make fairly regular posts to share my two cents, favorite sites, photos, movie quotes, etc.

Currently, I am taking advantage of a Saturday to myself doing homework! That's right. I have assignments due for my Psychopathology and Research Methods classes. You're jealous, I know. We can't all spend time outside in the beautiful fall weather pre-snow here in MN. Some of us have to buckle-down and study. hmpf. To help assuage this tug on my sensibilities, I have a Yankee Candle (Mulling Spices) lit, and listening to Christmas music (ie. not "Holiday" music), and donning fuzzy pink slippers. That's the best I can do for now.

Until later!

From a Child's Point of View

When working with some Kindergarten students this summer, I found myself jotting down these comments. Maybe you'll get a chuckle, too.

1. I was talking to the boys about how God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. I was hoping they would be able to tell me that it was Moses that God used. I gave them prompts such as "He's a famous man from the Old Testament...". One boy replied, "David?". Before I could respond, another boy blurted out, "David Archuletta?".

2. We were outside for recess when one of the boys (same boy as mentioned above) needed to use the bathroom. So, I had to walk him into the school building. As we walked passed the ice arena, there was a full-sized Caterpillar tractor parked there. He saw its immense size and blurted out, "Wow! That tractor's bigger than my Grandma!".

3. The group of us were waiting for all the kids to arrive when the boys were talking about how old their parents are. One boy said that his dad was 48 years old. Someone misunderstood him and thought he said 14 years old to which the same boy as above replied, "Not 14! You can't be a parent until you're 48!".

4. I was tutoring a boy this summer who really struggles with school. I had a difficult assignment for him so I warned him ahead of time that I had something for him to do but it might be hard. He said with an exasperated look, "I know all about hard things: metal, rocks, brick.".

Friday Plans

I am thankful to have today off of work! Today I'll be visiting the Arboretum in Chaska, MN with some friends. I hope to return with wonderful photos that I can post. From what I've heard, it is similar to the Chicago Botanic Garden of which I am very fond. Also, my roommate and I are off to look at another apartment complex today. Our lease is up at the end of this month, so we'll have to find something sooner than later. I know it's in God's hands, though.

Oddities and Opinions

Three things tickled my funny bone recently. Well, three things in the same day, that is. The first was when I awoke to find my two cats spooning. That's right, spooning. There they were on my bed with Mittens in front and Snickers behind without space enough for a whisker between them. The second occurred as I was leaving the neighborhood mall. Suddenly I heard the overhead music play "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles. I had to resist the impulse to whip out my hairbrush and sing along. Trust me, I was singing on the inside..."An eternal flaaaaame". The third was the oddest of all. You might be thinking, "How could it get more odd?" Well, I've found that while driving frequently on the freeways in Minnesota one is bound to see strange sights. I was driving to work on good ol' 94 heading west when lo and behold on the side of the road was a boat on its trailer. There was no vehicle attached to it--just the boat on its trailer. Inside the boat standing up and peering over the sides (rather recklessly, I might add), were two boys probably between the ages of 8 and 10! That's right. I wondered, "Where did this story begin?" As I whizzed by in my zoomy car, I wished them well.

I do have to add that my roommate saw perhaps on even stranger sight the other day. As she was driving home on good ol' 694 heading east, she saw a man carrying a canoe over his head trying to cross the 4 lanes of oncoming traffic! It was a wonder he wasn't killed. A minivan didn't see him in time to stop and hit the canoe which went flying--also a wonder that it didn't hurt any other vehicle or person. I think all involved were okay--even the canoe. Sheesh. The term "Minnesota Nice", in my opinion, is suspended as soon as one gets behind the wheel. At that time it's "Every man for himself".

There you have it.

Happy New Year

Here it is, the start of a new year. Under normal circumstances I would end my new year exclamation with, well, an exclamation point. However, what is potentially in store for this year politically and economically has stayed my hand from inserting the end punctuation. I am not even certain if I should include the word "happy". Indeed, if it is a wish for good things, then I can keep it. If, however, it is a declaration of certainty, then I should remove it. Leaving the words "new year" by themselves hardly seems worth it. Perhaps my title should reflect more candor and realism declaring, rather, "God has brought us this far and will continue to be a faithful and good Shepherd. The freedoms which we have come to love and depend upon may vanish before our eyes, but even if so, it is well with my soul because of He who is faithful and sovereign above all things and to whom I can go and rest in His arms." Ah, but perhaps that is too wordy a title. So, may this new year (days, weeks, months) ahead of us bear to you blessings and unexpected joys which come from the Father.

Those are my two cents.

slp

Home Again

"Home" can be a multifaceted or an ambiguous term. Either way, I am back home again--from being home. The LORD kept me safe once again as there was black ice with which to contend at the start of my trip. I lost control of my car on the on-ramp from 17 to 39North. I am really not sure how I didn't end up in either ditch, but I am grateful I didn't. My old drivers ed "stear into the turn" reminders were flashing through my mind. Thankfully, my life didn't flash before my eyes!

My trip to visit friends and family in Peoria and Bloomington was nice. Those places are so familiar and comfortable. I had the chance to visit my old church, Bethany Baptist in Peoria on Sunday. My former pastor was at our church plant and so I didn't get to hear him. Maybe next time.

I hope to return in the spring so I can visit my old school, Cornerstone Christian Academy, and my former students and co-teachers.

May 2009 bring many unexpected joys and blessings to you.

Sharon lee

Weather

Illinois weather is indeed strange. The old adage is true; If one does not like the weather in Illinois, wait 10 minutes. Yesterday we experienced all of the following: unseasonably warm temperatures, tornado watches, tornado warnings, high winds, strong rain, straight line winds, fog, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flash flood warnings. At night, the temperatures dropped after raining all day, but the wind continued to blow. A few days prior, ice blanketed the ground on top of snow.

At least in Minnesota the weather is predictable. :)

Poem

This is a poem by Diane Day.

Christmas 2008

God the Father, God the Son,
God the Spirit. He is 3 in one.

Brilliant glory is His attire.
He is also a consuming fire.

Rainbow colors surround His throne.
All are His and He is not alone.

Angels in Heaven around Him sing.
They bow and honor Him as their King.

Thunders, lightnings, sights and sounds
colors, beauty, music and crowns.

He loves me and wants me to be
with Him in Heaven for eternity.

Someday I'll see Him face to face
because I am saved by His grace.

Amen.

Photos

Here I am with my friend LaNae. She and her husband attended a Desiring God conference in Minneapolis in September 2008 and we were able to visit with each other.










Snickers loves to burrow (and ham it up for the camera)!












Before I took this picture, Snickers' nose was the only thing sticking out from under the blanket. She wanted some camera time, I supppose.











Mittens, the shy one, was caught here in a rare photo op.

Under Construction

Thank you for your patience as this site is under construction.

Coming Soon: Photos, Editorials, Stories, Lists of Favorites, Updates!

See you soon!