Please excuse the inconsequentiality of what I'm about to write, but I just HAVE to say it.
I LOVE FOOTBALL.
If I could be a wide receiver, I would. But because it's not generally accepted practice for thirty-something females to play this position, let alone this sport, I'm relegated to watching. And what a glorious relegation it is!
The imprints of games, plays and players are burned on my retinas (only my kids will know what I'm referring to): Kellen Winslow's block, 5 laterals by the Golden Bears, Dwight Clark's catch against the dreaded Cowboys, Boise State's 07 Bowl win, the Super Bowl in which the zebras defeated my beloved Hawks, Doug Flutie's Hail Mary for Boston College, Mack Strong's thirty plus yard ramble in the 06 playoffs, my nephew running for 160-some yards in a high school game...ahhhhh. I just love it.
I think that, as a group, the linebackers are my favorites. Mike Singletary. Lawrence Taylor. Junior Seau. And now Lofa Tatupu of the Seahawks. These guys are amazing. Athletic. Fast. Sneaky and strong, not to mention authoritative. If anybody thinks football is a sport for fat, dumb guys, guess again. These guys have to be smart and in unbelievable shape.
So, last weekend couldn't have been better for football in the Northwest. The sun was shining and all our teams played in one city in a span of two days with awesome results.
Game 2 of the Jake Locker era for the Dawgs - another impressive win, breaking Boise State's 14 or so game winning streak. Reality check tomorrow, however...#10 ranked Ohio State. Hmmm. Guess we'll find out if UW is for real or not.
Cougs at Qwest Field and I WAS THERE for a resounding win over San Diego State. Not only resounding, but record-setting. Cougs QB Alex Brink had a school record 38 completions for 469 yards. I'm not kidding you. And we got to see a whole bunch of TD's in the end zone where we were sitting, in addition to a stellar trombone performance by my nephew in the marching band.
Last but not least, the Hawks over Tampa Bay on Sunday. After a rather questionable start, the offense and defense finally got going. Shawn Alexander finally cranked it up and started heading UP the field instead of across it...now if only he could do that EVERY time!!! Lofa and company never seemed to tire out and laid a punishing string of hits on the Bucs. After the game, I wanted to write a post entitled "Things That Make Me Happy, vol. 2" with exactly one item in it - SEAHAWKS DEFENSE.
So if you didn't know it before, you know it now, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool football fan. If you really need to call to me on Saturday or Sunday afternoon between 1 and 4 PM, please do it only on commercial breaks or at halftime. :) Other than that I'm happy to talk football with you ANY TIME. (I especially love analyzing Holmgren's 3rd down play calling).
Are you ready for some football?
Friday, September 14, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
A Good Day
I'm working to redefine my understanding of "a good day".
I'm accustomed to thinking that a good day is an easy day. A conflict-free day. A day without stress or heavy decision-making or tears (mine or others'). A day with happy people, happy events, and a happy feeling inside of me. A day when I "feel blessed".
Oh, there's nothing wrong with these kind of days. They are good days, indeed. But I've been realizing that there are a lot of other kinds of "good days" - a lot of which don't look and feel so obviously GOOD. I don't want to defer to a blind "Pollyanna" outlook on life - I know well the reality of days that pierce your heart and mind, of days that seem to drain the very life out of you. But I also know that in the midst of those FEELINGS, I often miss the very real "goodness" that's happening. For instance...
Kids quarrel and fight when they're learning how to relate to others and how to assert themselves. While the fighting is tiresome to all, my kids are learning how NOT to be doormats. They're learning to eliminate some unhealthy ways of relating to others. So when we walk through this together, it's a good day.
Teenagers want to go out with their friends and while the decision-making and boundary-setting is taxing to the parents, my kids are taking steps toward being independent of us, as we want them to be one day. They're learning why we have boundaries and how to set them. Baby steps toward healthy independence make a good day (even if three of those steps are forward and two are back!).
People in all kinds of settings from marriage to work to extended families have misunderstandings and differing opinions that lead to difficult conversations. But when those conversations occur, though stretching and even painful, we're gaining knowledge of another. We're learning the value of OUR experiences and opinions, as well as the value of THEIRS. Knowing myself and knowing another, and extending grace to both, is part of a good day.
All of these, and more, are truly GOOD days. They may be hard days, but they're good. They're good as we stretch and are stretched, as we mold and are molded, more and more into the image of our Creator. People grow; people change. People learn and develop - more often than not by trial and error. What makes me think that this process will be "happy", linear, and effortless?! The process is none of the aforementioned, at least not all the time, but it is still good.
Have a GOOD day.
I'm accustomed to thinking that a good day is an easy day. A conflict-free day. A day without stress or heavy decision-making or tears (mine or others'). A day with happy people, happy events, and a happy feeling inside of me. A day when I "feel blessed".
Oh, there's nothing wrong with these kind of days. They are good days, indeed. But I've been realizing that there are a lot of other kinds of "good days" - a lot of which don't look and feel so obviously GOOD. I don't want to defer to a blind "Pollyanna" outlook on life - I know well the reality of days that pierce your heart and mind, of days that seem to drain the very life out of you. But I also know that in the midst of those FEELINGS, I often miss the very real "goodness" that's happening. For instance...
Kids quarrel and fight when they're learning how to relate to others and how to assert themselves. While the fighting is tiresome to all, my kids are learning how NOT to be doormats. They're learning to eliminate some unhealthy ways of relating to others. So when we walk through this together, it's a good day.
Teenagers want to go out with their friends and while the decision-making and boundary-setting is taxing to the parents, my kids are taking steps toward being independent of us, as we want them to be one day. They're learning why we have boundaries and how to set them. Baby steps toward healthy independence make a good day (even if three of those steps are forward and two are back!).
People in all kinds of settings from marriage to work to extended families have misunderstandings and differing opinions that lead to difficult conversations. But when those conversations occur, though stretching and even painful, we're gaining knowledge of another. We're learning the value of OUR experiences and opinions, as well as the value of THEIRS. Knowing myself and knowing another, and extending grace to both, is part of a good day.
All of these, and more, are truly GOOD days. They may be hard days, but they're good. They're good as we stretch and are stretched, as we mold and are molded, more and more into the image of our Creator. People grow; people change. People learn and develop - more often than not by trial and error. What makes me think that this process will be "happy", linear, and effortless?! The process is none of the aforementioned, at least not all the time, but it is still good.
Have a GOOD day.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Things That Make Me Happy
It's not uncommon when my daughter and I are together to hear one of us take note of some object, person or event and say "That makes me happy". Please don't think we're really shallow and that we depend on "stuff" for our happiness. Our words are just a way of expressing that something has brought us a little delight.
The things that make us happy are many and varied, and I'm glad we share these aloud. Not only does it help us know a little more about each other's hearts, it also keeps us on the lookout for those easily overlooked moments of joy in life.
So, every now and then in my blog, you're bound to see an installment of "Things That Make Me Happy". If you're not already in the habit of noticing and savoring these moments in your life, I hope this post encourages you to begin TODAY!
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, vol. 1
My Red Shirt
I've had my red blouse for several years, and whenever I put it on, I just feel good. It makes me happy every time I wear it (or even think about wearing it). Everyone should have a shirt like that!
The Goat Who Worshiped Me
My friend and I and our boys were petting some farm animals at a farm/park the other day. This one goat had stuck its head through the fence, so naturally, I squatted down to give it a proper petting. As soon as I started scratching this friendly goat's chin, it closed its eyes and leaned its head into my hand with a look of pure ecstasy on its face. It just rested there against my touch as long as I would keep showing affection. It was surprisingly gratifying, even though the recipient was a goat, to be another creature's dream-come-true. :)
Jim's Chicken and Veggies on the Grill
Oh, there is just NOTHING better than when my husband grills teriyaki chicken and all manner of veggies on the grill for the fam. He's a master BBQ'er and I savor EVERY bite of this meal.
The Unlikely Passenger
I was following a car at dusk yesterday; I had seen the driver's face, but saw only the silhouette of the passenger's back. I followed the car for several miles before the passenger turned in profile and I realized that the husky rider in the back seat was really a gigantic dog! I laughed and laughed that I had gone so far without recognizing that outline for what it was.
Other things that have made me happy in the last few days:
Green, red and yellow peppers in the colander,
A photo of a young lady with an wonderfully warm and cheerful face,
Reading yet another book about Mt. Everest,
Singing in church, and
Eating Hot Tamales,
just to name a few.
At immense risk of sounding totally and completely dorky, I sincerely hope and pray that whatever your day is like today, you will keep all your senses open to the "happy" moments along the way. Really.
The things that make us happy are many and varied, and I'm glad we share these aloud. Not only does it help us know a little more about each other's hearts, it also keeps us on the lookout for those easily overlooked moments of joy in life.
So, every now and then in my blog, you're bound to see an installment of "Things That Make Me Happy". If you're not already in the habit of noticing and savoring these moments in your life, I hope this post encourages you to begin TODAY!
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, vol. 1
My Red Shirt
I've had my red blouse for several years, and whenever I put it on, I just feel good. It makes me happy every time I wear it (or even think about wearing it). Everyone should have a shirt like that!
The Goat Who Worshiped Me
My friend and I and our boys were petting some farm animals at a farm/park the other day. This one goat had stuck its head through the fence, so naturally, I squatted down to give it a proper petting. As soon as I started scratching this friendly goat's chin, it closed its eyes and leaned its head into my hand with a look of pure ecstasy on its face. It just rested there against my touch as long as I would keep showing affection. It was surprisingly gratifying, even though the recipient was a goat, to be another creature's dream-come-true. :)
Jim's Chicken and Veggies on the Grill
Oh, there is just NOTHING better than when my husband grills teriyaki chicken and all manner of veggies on the grill for the fam. He's a master BBQ'er and I savor EVERY bite of this meal.
The Unlikely Passenger
I was following a car at dusk yesterday; I had seen the driver's face, but saw only the silhouette of the passenger's back. I followed the car for several miles before the passenger turned in profile and I realized that the husky rider in the back seat was really a gigantic dog! I laughed and laughed that I had gone so far without recognizing that outline for what it was.
Other things that have made me happy in the last few days:
Green, red and yellow peppers in the colander,
A photo of a young lady with an wonderfully warm and cheerful face,
Reading yet another book about Mt. Everest,
Singing in church, and
Eating Hot Tamales,
just to name a few.
At immense risk of sounding totally and completely dorky, I sincerely hope and pray that whatever your day is like today, you will keep all your senses open to the "happy" moments along the way. Really.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
60
I started counting during my morning walk today. I was enjoying the impressive neighborhood "garden show" along my favorite walking route, and suddenly, it wasn't enough just to look and savor; I had to know just how many kinds of plants I was seeing. I needed to quantify this. (Don't ask me why, it's just how my brain works!)
And so I counted.
60.
60 types of cultivated plants in the space of one-half city block.
60 shapes. 60 textures. 60 shades of green. 60 trees, shrubs, grasses and flowering things of all kinds. 60 didn't even include different varieties of the same plant.
I was genuinely astounded.
To think that the wonderful climate of the Northwest can sustain such a variety of flora in one small space amazed me. But I was even more amazed at the mind and power of the loving God who created these, not only to be useful contributors to our environment, but to be a feast for the human eye and signposts pointing us to Him. I was humbled in pondering that this is but one MINISCULE demonstration of His ingenuity, creativity, resourcefulness and wisdom.
I finished the rest of my walk looking differently at the beautiful morning around me. I heard the birds more. Enjoyed the blue sky more. Took note of the many shades of hydrangeas more. Pardon me for sounding extremely corny, but it's exactly what I did. And later this afternoon, Psalm 100 completed the happy contemplation of my 60 morning glimpses of God:
"Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
IT IS HE WHO MADE US, AND WE ARE HIS..."
Amen and amen. :)
And so I counted.
60.
60 types of cultivated plants in the space of one-half city block.
60 shapes. 60 textures. 60 shades of green. 60 trees, shrubs, grasses and flowering things of all kinds. 60 didn't even include different varieties of the same plant.
I was genuinely astounded.
To think that the wonderful climate of the Northwest can sustain such a variety of flora in one small space amazed me. But I was even more amazed at the mind and power of the loving God who created these, not only to be useful contributors to our environment, but to be a feast for the human eye and signposts pointing us to Him. I was humbled in pondering that this is but one MINISCULE demonstration of His ingenuity, creativity, resourcefulness and wisdom.
I finished the rest of my walk looking differently at the beautiful morning around me. I heard the birds more. Enjoyed the blue sky more. Took note of the many shades of hydrangeas more. Pardon me for sounding extremely corny, but it's exactly what I did. And later this afternoon, Psalm 100 completed the happy contemplation of my 60 morning glimpses of God:
"Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
IT IS HE WHO MADE US, AND WE ARE HIS..."
Amen and amen. :)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Learning
Thanks to those of you who responded to my last post by sharing what you're learning. There's some pretty big stuff there.
To be honest, I've been dragging my feet a little about sharing what I'm learning. My sandwich recipe (thanks to Sue) is not so hard to pass along (wheat or whole-grain toast, dijon or regular mustard, avocado slices, turkey, fresh spinach, cheese of your choice, tomato, salt and pepper, and serve open-faced). Yummmmm. I can also easily tell you that "abseil" is pronounced "ob-zile" (go figure) and is a mountain-climbing term meaning "a method of descending a very steep cliff by means of a rope secured at the summit". And without too much trouble, I can share a challenging verse from my study of the biblical Book of Proverbs (chapter 20:5 "The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out").
But that's where the simple part ends.
All the things mentioned in the comments resonate with me right now: living without fear of regrets, extending grace, waiting with patience and perseverance, and getting to know God because He's God. Yet, I'm realizing that so much of my "summer school" this year has been intensely personal and not fit for consumption in such a public forum as this. It will suffice to say, however, that I have no doubt about the graciousness of my God and His unfathomable love for me. A love immense enough to mold and shape and trim and start again when necessary. He never gives up, even when there is oh, so much for me to learn.
A number of years ago, I came across the following poem in a fantastic book that I think every Christian should read. The book is entitled "Spiritual Leadership", author J. Oswald Sanders. The poem itself is untitled and the author is unknown. Too bad that he or she doesn't get credit for this gem. I've returned to this literary piece many times to help bring perspective on the learning God is facilitating in my life and what He has ahead for me. I know this little poem can't explain everything, but it sure makes me think and hope it does the same for you.
When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world should be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out -
God knows what He's about!
Although some may find these words to be cruel or discouraging, I have lived them, and understand. The "trial shapes of clay that only God understands"...it's true. So often we're in transition, can't fathom the finished product, and hope that this "trial shape" isn't it. How awesome to know that God does know the next stage as well as the necessity of the transitional one(s). The idea of God inducing us to "try His splendor out" - a truly inspired picture. He does invite us or put us in positions that compel us to do so. So often I think my Lord is crying out for me to let Him show His splendor. And He does. And I am never disappointed.
I know this has been a long, long post. So good for you if you've made it this far. My daughter said yesterday "We should keep learning and growing until we die." May her tribe increase! Keep learning, keep growing. Keep enjoying the sandwich recipes and other incidental moments of learning that add color to the tapestry of life. Keep letting the Lord have His way with you, or try His splendor out for the first time, if you haven't already.
Happy learning.
To be honest, I've been dragging my feet a little about sharing what I'm learning. My sandwich recipe (thanks to Sue) is not so hard to pass along (wheat or whole-grain toast, dijon or regular mustard, avocado slices, turkey, fresh spinach, cheese of your choice, tomato, salt and pepper, and serve open-faced). Yummmmm. I can also easily tell you that "abseil" is pronounced "ob-zile" (go figure) and is a mountain-climbing term meaning "a method of descending a very steep cliff by means of a rope secured at the summit". And without too much trouble, I can share a challenging verse from my study of the biblical Book of Proverbs (chapter 20:5 "The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out").
But that's where the simple part ends.
All the things mentioned in the comments resonate with me right now: living without fear of regrets, extending grace, waiting with patience and perseverance, and getting to know God because He's God. Yet, I'm realizing that so much of my "summer school" this year has been intensely personal and not fit for consumption in such a public forum as this. It will suffice to say, however, that I have no doubt about the graciousness of my God and His unfathomable love for me. A love immense enough to mold and shape and trim and start again when necessary. He never gives up, even when there is oh, so much for me to learn.
A number of years ago, I came across the following poem in a fantastic book that I think every Christian should read. The book is entitled "Spiritual Leadership", author J. Oswald Sanders. The poem itself is untitled and the author is unknown. Too bad that he or she doesn't get credit for this gem. I've returned to this literary piece many times to help bring perspective on the learning God is facilitating in my life and what He has ahead for me. I know this little poem can't explain everything, but it sure makes me think and hope it does the same for you.
When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world should be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out -
God knows what He's about!
Although some may find these words to be cruel or discouraging, I have lived them, and understand. The "trial shapes of clay that only God understands"...it's true. So often we're in transition, can't fathom the finished product, and hope that this "trial shape" isn't it. How awesome to know that God does know the next stage as well as the necessity of the transitional one(s). The idea of God inducing us to "try His splendor out" - a truly inspired picture. He does invite us or put us in positions that compel us to do so. So often I think my Lord is crying out for me to let Him show His splendor. And He does. And I am never disappointed.
I know this has been a long, long post. So good for you if you've made it this far. My daughter said yesterday "We should keep learning and growing until we die." May her tribe increase! Keep learning, keep growing. Keep enjoying the sandwich recipes and other incidental moments of learning that add color to the tapestry of life. Keep letting the Lord have His way with you, or try His splendor out for the first time, if you haven't already.
Happy learning.
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