I'm Cheating!

Don't panic. I don't mean in dieting or marriage.

I'll explain the cheating part in a minute, but first I have to explain that I was given the Versatile Blogger Award from Jen at Grown in Southern Ground. Thanks, Jen!


I'm so honored! I looked up the word versatile because I'm an English teacher at heart, and that's what I do. Dictionary.reference.com defines versatile as having or capable of many uses.

That is so very true. I'm capable of being a mom or a wife or a sister or a friend or a pastor's wife or a writer or a blogger or ... but actually the blog was awarded, not me. Hmmm. Well, the blog is hopefully entertaining. It's also a record (spotty though it may be) of my life and the lives of my loved ones. Once in a great while my blog is provocative or challenging or encouraging.

Okay, so both I and my blog are versatile! We accept the award! (Like there was really any question as to whether or not I would accept an award.)

There are rules for accepting this award. The rules are as follows:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging or whose blogs you enjoy the most.

2. Share seven random facts about yourself.

3. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

4. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

Numbers 3 and 4 are already taken care of. Second paragraph, people! Get with the program! I'm cheating in that I'm not going to nominate 15 bloggers. I'm sorry, but if I tried to go that route I'd never get any work done today.

Not that I'm writing this at work. Ahem!

But I am going to award one new blogger that I have been following. Kari at Simply Being Kari has not been blogging long, but her blog is always full of useful information on saving money, couponing, deals, etc.

And that's how I'm cheating.

Now for the last rule to fulfill--seven random things about me.

1. My first car was a 1973 yellow Chevy Vega. I occasionally had to make it go by sticking my feet through the thinning floorboards and running along the ground ala Fred Flinstone style.

2. I try to wear nail polish with sparkly stuff in it so my awkward brushstrokes are not noticeable.

3. I like dangly earrings because it's easier to answer the phone if my earring is dangling out of the way of the receiver.

4. I've spent a total of 101 hours of my life in labor.

5. When I was growing up I wanted to be a nurse. Until I realized that might involve bedpans and other yucky stuff.

6. I was an extremely shy child/teenager/young adult.

7. This is my 600th post on Jill Boyd's Place!

And that's me in a nutshell. Versatile. Busy life. Slightly cracked.

Hodgepodge!

Well I tried. I really did. I wanted to come up with some great title for this week's Hodgepodge that had some kind of a reference to golf.

But I failed.

And then my mind went blank, and I couldn't think of anything to title this post. Hence the extremely un-original and un-imaginative one-word title. But titled or not, the Hodgepodge is fun to say and fun to play. (I can rhyme even if I can't title!). So who's with me? Leave a comment--and I promise to try and be a little more original in my answers than in the title--and then click here to head on over to Joyce's to play along. You don't even have to be as lame as I am.

But it helps!

1. Have you ever played golf? Any interest in playing? Do you have a significant other who loves to play? Did you watch The Masters this past weekend?

I play minature golf. And not well. And I know it's not the same. But really, doesn't the windmill make it more fun?

2. Hats are back in fashion this spring...how do you feel about wearing a hat? (fyi-I'm not talking baseball caps) When was the last time you wore one?

I like hats, but my hair doesn't. If I place a hat on my head, my hair actually grabs it and throws it off.

Although in this case, I think the hat deserved it.

3. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 meaning proficient and 1 meaning "I'd starve", how adept are you at using chopsticks?

I'm considering incorporating chopsticks into my diet routine. I'm pretty sure I'd lose weight.
Not to mention patience.

4. Has technology taken over?

No. I still have to clean my own house.

5. In the course of a day how often do you look in a mirror?

Everytime I wash my hands. It's either that or look at the ceiling. Which is boring and strains my neck.

6. Tulip or Daffodil?

I'll take either, but in a bouquet please.

7. I am proud of myself for __________________.

I'm sorry, but apparently I'm not real prideful right now about anything. Wait a minute! Doesn't that make me humble? That's something to be proud about!
Oops. Lost it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I had a great random thought the other day. It was both profound and humorous. When I had it, it made me laugh, and then I realized it was a random thought. And I made a mental note of it for this week's Hodgepodge.

I can't remember where I put the note.




 

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Our eighteen-year-old, Luke, was off visiting friends in Alabama this past weekend. It was his first time flying by himself, and I told him to make sure and text me when he got to his gate, so that I'd know he wasn't wandering around the airport somewhere, lost. When he did text me, he mentioned that he'd given a Gospel tract (a little pamphlet that tells you how to accept Christ) to a soldier. Later that morning, my husband, who's name as pastor is listed on the pamphlets, received the following email:

Pastor,

My name is XXXXXXX, a soldier stationed in Alabama. Today a member of your flock saw me in uniform. I noticed him watching a few times. As soon as I found my gate he approached me (you can tell he was nervous). He had the courage to approach a complete stranger to bring the Word of God. I am not sure what he said his name was. He was in Huntsville visiting a friend.

This young man approached me saying I had done so much for him and he wanted to do something for me. He handed me your pamphlet and asked me to read it when I had time. He then thanked me and walked away. I am a Christian, I know Jesus died for me and I gave my life to God many years ago and continue to praise Him for loving me. Today I was assured that God works through the younger generation. As I sit here looking at the news, I began to question our youth, but this young man is a testament to your leadership and God's works.

Thank you for your dedication to spreading God's Word.

My heart is swelling with gratitude at the way the Lord works. He moved our son to share the Gospel (something every Christian ought to be doing), and our son obeyed in spite of being nervous. In addition, our son's obedience to God inspired that soldier to write this email which greatly encouraged both me and my husband.

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

I'm just praising God today. How about you?

Letter to a Soldier

One of the families in our church has a son that recently deployed to Afghanistan, and families in our church are taking turns sending care packages to him. Our family is sending one this month, and I asked each of our boys to write a letter introducing themselves to him.

Joel is almost fourteen, and following is the letter he wrote just exactly as he wrote it:

Dear Kory,

First, I want to say thank you for protecting our country, and for everything else you've done.

I'm someone you don't know, but through this letter you will begin to know more about me.

I put a small brown Bible with the rest of the stuff. I'm asking you to please read it every chance you get, and share it with everybody else. See if you can use that Bible to lead people to Christ. I hope you win the battle, where ever you are, and make it home safely.

I've met your mother, she is very nice, she comes to church every Sunday and Wednesday, and when I do the offering she gives carmal candies to me and whoever else is doing the offering.

My name is Joel Boyd, I'm the son of the pastor, I have 4 brothers & 1 sister, and I happen to be the craziest of them all. I'm not sure I spelt crazy right. I'm only 13 years old. My brothers, Luke, Paul, Nicky, and Matt, are 17 (Luke), 15 (Paul), 12 (Nicky), and 23 (Matt); Matt is married, Luke is a senior (and has a girlfriend), Paul is in 9th grade, I'm in 8th grade, and Nicky is in 6th grade. My sister's name is Steph. She is 21, and just out of colage. Matt's wife is named Kylee.

I just want to say THANKS.

Unknown but now known freind,
Joel T. Boyd

P.S. I've always wanted to be a hero like you. I'm praying for you.

There's really not much else to say, is there?

I know it's the first day of spring, but you still need to put the marshmallow peeps down and take a step back, okay? The Spring Hodgepodge won't take long and then you can dive back into your pastel candy with renewed vigor. Just read my brilliantly thought out answers, and then click here to head over to Joyce's and take part in the fun.

1. The first day of spring is here...do you enjoy working in the yard? Weeding, raking, mowing, planting-your favorite springtime garden chore? How about your least favorite?

I gave birth to five boys so that I would never have to work in the yard. Of course, that doesn't mean they do either ...

2. What puts a spring in your step?

Stepping on a tack.

3. Describe a time when you had to spring into action?

A pastor and his family took us out for Sunday dinner after we presented our mission work at their church. Following the lead of our host family, we all ordered the special, which is what they ordered. The special was meatloaf, something that is not a favorite with anyone in our home, but everything else on the menu was more expensive. We had taught our children to eat what was put in front of them without complaining, but apparently they forgot those rules that Sunday. My two oldest repeatedly asked me if they had to eat their meatloaf. Luke, who was four at the time, refused to swallow. He chewed a bite of meatloaf for an enormously long time, and then gagged on it and threw up all over the restaurant table.

4. We're having carrots for dinner...would you prefer yours raw or cooked?

I didn't realize we'd been invited for dinner. We'll be there at six, and we'll eat what's put in front of us. (See previous answer.)

5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out?

I don't, mostly because they're not usually the brands I prefer. My husband does, and then he brings them home and sets them on the bathroom counter for me to put away. And I do, by throwing them in the garbage when he's not looking. It's a strange system, but it works for us.

6. What's the most enjoyable team or club you've belonged to and what was it that made it so?

I belonged to the yellow team in Awana. And it was enjoyable because we won. A lot.

7. Is cloning a sign of progress?

Yes, but I'm not really sure we want to progress in that direction.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I could use a clone if she would help with dishes and housework. But she would always need to be about 10 pounds heavier than I am. After all, the copy should never be as good as the original.

The Luck of the Hodgepodge

It's time to put on one of those silly green hats and participate in the Hodgepodge. (In the interest of full disclosure, my green hat was missing while I wrote this post. In the interest of non-disclosure, all other articles of clothing were in full use.) So once you've finished up with my Hodgepodge of answers to this Hodgepodge of questions (I really like that word!) slide down the rainbow to Joyce's blog and see what everyone else had to say.

1. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated this coming Saturday...what's a favorite article of clothing you own that contains a touch o' the green?

My eyes are green, and I always wear them.

2. What's a favorite 'green space' in the town, state, or province where you live?

There's almost always something green growing in the back of my fridge, but I don't necessarily think it's a favorite place for me. Obviously it's a favorite place for the green stuff.

3. Do you wish you were taller, shorter, or think you're just about right in the height department?

I like my height, but proportionately, I need to be taller so that I would be skinnier. I think if I were seven feet tall, I'd look really thin. And awkward, but I tend toward that anyway. I like thin.

4. What's the surest way for someone to pick a fight with you?

What with our "green" theme for this week, I had to read this question twice. At first I thought it asked about the surest way to pick someone's nose. Not happening. Come to think of it though, that's probably a good way to pick a fight.

5. Broccoli-Spinach-String Beans-Peas...of the four, your favorite green veg? (Or the one you dislike the least if that first option's too hard. I just know there's some veggie haters out there.)

They all have their place. Some of them are just farther away from me than others.

6. March is National Women's History Month...besides friends, neighbors and the women you're related to, who's a woman in history you admire and why?

Wonder Woman's always been pretty cool. I like the invisible plane (although she was never invisible when she was in it, which seemed to me to be a little glitch in the system), and she really knew how to work her jewelry. Bracelets, anyone?

7. Keep Calm and ____________on.

You fill in the blank.

Keep calm and put your shoes on. You just seem more prepared that way.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm rarely prepared, with or without shoes. But it helps if the shoes are cute.

Marching to the Tune of the Hodgepodge

I didn't leap last week, but I will definitely march this week. Come on and join us. After all, who can resist a good marching song? If it makes you feel better, beat a drum while you read my answers. than go on over to Joyce's and sign up with your own.

But wait! You march yourself right down to the end of this post and leave a comment first.

1. Did March come in like a lion or was it something less ferocious in your neck of the woods?

March started with a roar, but it may have been more bear than lion. And it had more to do with our schedule than with our weather. Speaking of weather, what would you call a day with plenty of bright sunshine, a light breeze and temperatures in the low 80's? I'm not sure it qualifies as a lion or a lamb. Maybe a lazy housecat?

2. Speaking of lions, which one's your film favorite...The Cowardly Lion (Wizard of Oz), Mufasa (The Lion King), Elsa (Born Free), or Alex (Madagascar)? You may notice I left Aslan off the list. Including him would have made this question way too easy for many of you.

Each of those lion characters made their mark in their particular film. The real question is, would you still like The Cowardly Lion if he played in Madagascar? Would you still favor Alex if he took Mufasa's place in Lion King?

3. What's your favorite spot from which to view the sunrise or sunset?

I like to view the sunrise in the east and the sunset in the west. Which is handy since I don't think God plans on changing that formula any time soon.

4. To what extent is knowledge power and to what extent is truth power? What's the difference?

Knowledge is knowing facts. Understanding is knowing what those facts mean. Wisdom is knowing how to use those facts. Knowledge without understanding or wisdom is not much power. And in some ways, it can be very dangerous.

In addition, knowledge without truth can also be dangerous. You can know something, but if that something isn't truth, than it doesn't help much.

5. What's something peculiar you've seen recently?

Snow. Haven't seen it in years, and I saw it on Monday. (I was not in Florida at the time.)

6. Bottled water...your thoughts?

Usually when I open one up, I wonder what garden hose was used to fill it.

7. What's your strongest sense?

Probably my sense of entitlement. Followed closely by my sense of guilt.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Why can't everyone else get their act together so I don't have to? (get my own act together, that is.)