FontNerd: September 2006

Sorry for such a long lapse

Hey everyone. Been a while, I know. Sorry I havent been able to keep this blog as updated as I'd like. Life has gotten busier again. We've had some friends staying with us before they make a cross-country move and it's been great geeting to spend a lot of time with them before they relocate, but it also makes for a busy home. Last night was not a good one in my book -- let me retell the story...

I had the house to myself along with Cooper and their chiuaua Blue Cheese. I had a girlfriend coming over around 7 to pick up a dresser she's refinishing for me so I had the dogs in separate rooms and out of the way while we moved the furniture. After the dresser was in her car I was showing her around the house and when I went into the bathroom to show her the cute finish I had on my walls I was horrified to see a poop log on my white bath mat right in front of the sink. Hard to ignore, but easy to explain since Blue is not trained to use the backyard for his duties... but I was quite red-faced in front of my friend.

Once she left I let the animals out in the backyard again hoping no more accidents would happen inside, and I went about my laundry and TV show catch up since I did have the house to myself. Sure enough, no less than 10 mins later I see Blue lift his leg on my new dining room chair and that was it... he was banished to solitary create confinement the rest of the evening until his parents got home... I'm not used to having a pup in the house who is so small he can hide anywhere and is so independent that he doesn't obey the simplest of commands.

This morning I had a shockingly cold shower so I think we are being forced to replace our gas water heater. We knew the day would come considering the beast is as old as the house... it's just not as easy as you'd think since some areas require permits and all gas heaters have to be installed by licensed professionals... looks like a trip to Lowe's and a few more days of cold showers for everyone. Brrrrrr.

Add to the list that our microwave keeps dying (we replace a fuse, it's cooking but super quiet, and then BAM dead again), the ice and water part of our fridge has never worked, the bathroom sink is clogged and fills with water easily, the toilet lever/flapper needs more tension, and on and on... I feel so blessed to have our home, and I know God intended us to have this one. I just wish He'd arrange for one malfunction at a time!

In any case, our plans for the weekend include a haircut, Tim's workout with his trainer, a party for some of his coworkers, saying goodbye to our friends as they make final preps for their move to Texas, shelf building, flag hanging, and of course money spending at Lowe's.

Funny video

9/11 Remembrance

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:10-12

It's hard not to reflect on where we were on 9/11. Amazing to think it was 5 years ago and yet is so fresh in my mind. I've been struggling today with how normal and mundane my activities were today -- and yet you don't want to get caught up watching the TV footage over and over, and it's so easy to feel exactly as I did that day.

What I come away with each and every time I reflect on 9/11 is faith. And I pray for those of you who don't know the Lord will take a moment too, and think about how it might feel if you had been somehow involved with a 9/11 scale event... it sounds corny to some, but knowing that God has plans for my life, and knowing that I've got a spot in heaven no matter what means I can go through my daily life unafraid and I think this anniversary has shown me I need to be even more outspoken about what gives me the courage to not fear the plans God has for me. That if I were faced with the unspeakable despair of 9/11 that I would also have peace. Peace to know that I have a place forever in the kingdom of God, faith to know that my family and friends (those who have accepted Christ) will eventually join me in our afterlife. For someone as control freakish as myself to rest entirely in my faith will hopefully speak to some to know that if I can trust something larger than myself, and unseen, then anyone can.

So my lessons from 9/11 today are those of hope and healing. Our lives aren't the same since -- some more dramatically changed than others -- and for some like Tim it's clear God's plan takes them closer to 9/11 than most. If only the spirit of seeking the Truth that happened right after 9/11 would be reborn again.

This entry isn't as eloquent as I'd hoped. In words borrowed from my pastor:

"The tragic attacks five years ago shook the hearts of our nation. The only place where the fear and shaking will eventually cease is in the hearts of those whose complete faith and trust is found in a personal relationship with our living God. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ allows me to say with certainty, "MY GOD!"

My God can help us...even when men hurt us. My God doesn't promise to have all the answers to my questions...but He does promise that in the midst of my questions I can find His presence; His peace; His grace and His love."