Simple Woman's Daybook 06.27.11

Outside my window...is a semi-muggy summer's night, with random cool breezes blowing in the window.

I am thinking...that I really should be going to bed early tonight - it's already 11:00 p.m.

I am thankful...for my job! Tomorrow I'll celebrate one year at my current employer! God has taught me so much this year.

From the learning rooms...well I'm learning a lot of general life lessons right now. I was especially challenged by yesterday's sermon, specifically the point of...having faith to follow without knowing all the details and leaving those things that are familiar!

In the kitchen...I'm starting to work on some original recipes - one involves Chicken and Doritos!

I am wearing...my favorite pair of jean capris and a red shirt with a firework on it - gearing up for the Fourth of July!!

I am creating...a list of things to pack, do and purchase before I head on a very special trip!

I am going...to be super busy at work for the next two weeks, as we wrap up the details for Huntington Credit College.

I am wondering...how Sophia is doing at her first night of Summer Camp!! I'm so excited for her!!

I am reading...a few different things - but mainly "Lies Young Women Believe - and the Truth that Sets Them Free". It's the book we are studying in the Summer Bible/Book study I'm leading on Tuesday evenings for girls 8th Grade and above.

I am hoping...everything goes well with VBS, it starts in less than 2 weeks - and I'm starting to reach panic mode.

I am looking forward to...having the girls back tomorrow evening for our Bible/Book Study

I am hearing...the dancing fountain and nightly bug/critter noises.

Around the house...I'm enjoying the perennial garden on my back patio. Trying to figure out what to do in the front.

I am pondering...a few things - nothing I'm ready to share just yet.

One of my favorite things...Red, White & Boom and various other firework displays this weekend! I LOVE FIREWORKS!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, Bible/Book Study, Church, RW&B, fireworks displays and time with friends, celebrating my Momma's birthday!

Praying for...IBC, Terry, opportunities to share Christ in word and action, Christy, VBS, Joan and family.

A verse to share: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

A lyric to share:

Singled Out...

Last weekend I attended a wedding.

Weddings are always a very bittersweet event for me.

I'm always excited to celebrate with the happy couple! I can't wait to see the beautiful dress! The way the church and reception hall are decorated! The smile on the Bride's face that lights up the room! The pride of the Groom watching his Bride walk down the aisle!

I'm reminded of my singleness. I'm reminded of the void in my life - that I long to fill. I'm sitting alone - filled with love to offer someone, yet no one wants my love. I'm one of only a few my age that's not been given this gift. I'm reminded of my incompleteness as the Pastor talks about how the couple coming together complete each other.

Last weekend I attended a wedding and two things happened that singled out, my singleness.

After the wedding, a lady approached me in the parking lot - handed me a baseball glove and smiled...actually laughed as she handed it to me. I asked what it was for - she said, "its to help you catch the bouquet". And then laughed some more, harder. I just looked at her. I really wanted to just cry. I really wanted to tell her how cruel that was. I really wanted to take the glove and smack her in the face with it - to be completely honest. Where did she find the humor in this? How would she feel if I made fun of or made light of a circumstance in her life that she wished were different? How would she feel if I were her daughter, and someone else did that to me? How would she feel if she knew that inside my heart, that was already tender, was now breaking into even smaller pieces because of her cruel joke. She continued to smirk, as I handed the glove back and said - "no thanks". Never once cracking a smile. I hope she got my point. I hope she saw my hurt - although I don't think she did.

I went to the reception. It was beautiful. The food was very good. The traditional dances began - first dance, father/daughter mother/son. A special slow dance was played for all the married couples - it was nice. The couple married the longest had been married for 54 years - and they were dancing as if it were their wedding day. Then the DJ announced that another slow song would play. This time for those who aren't married. I realize that was for dating couples, friends who dance together, etc. But did they really have to choose a slow song for the single people in the room to dance to - it just rubbed me the wrong way. I was probably overreacting and being ultra sensitive - those are the usual comments single people get when their feelings are hurt on that subject, we aren't supposed to allow our feelings to be hurt - apparently. I said "oh yeah - who are the single people supposed to dance with to a song like this - when it's just them". Someone at the table said I could dance with my sister. That comment just burned through me like a flaming sword. Between the situation in the parking lot and that comment my feelings were now officially stomped to the ground and hurt. How can people be so inconsiderate? Don't they know that singles already feel alone, unwanted and not worthy of the gift of love? I reacted - and my words were harsh. I was wrong for not controlling my words or emotions. When others at the table went to get cake - I left. I didn't want to be in this place any longer. I didn't want to have to force a smile - when inside I just wanted to hide in the darkest corner and cry. So I left - the room was dark and I could sneak out. Actually, when I left no one even said goodbye - they probably didn't see me leaving, and I was okay with that. I need to just leave. I know it sounds like I was making it all about me - but I wasn't...others were making it all about me by their comments.

The next day at church immediately after the service the person who made the comment - approached me with tears in their eyes and apologized. They were very sincere. They said they didn't mean to offend me, they just wanted me to be able to dance. I accepted their apology, and I apologized for my reaction.

The lady with the baseball glove...she probably still thinks it's funny and has no idea how much it hurt. She actually did the same thing that same day, in a similar manner to another single person while they waited to be dismissed from the ceremony - it hurt them too. But they were stronger than me - they were able to appease the lady and give a little laugh.

Moral of this Story: For someone who longs to be married - singleness is not a laughing matter...and the last thing a single person wants to be is the punch line of some one's "single" joke and singled out.

"Blessings..."

Blessings are daily gifts from God - they don't always come in the wrapping paper we expect or want...but the "wrong wrapping paper" doesn't make them any less of a blessing.

What up??...

Hi Friends!! Were you afraid I had forgotten about my blog...I haven't! I actually think of it often, but I've not taken the time to update! A friend, follower and fellow blogger sent me a text the other day with a soft reminder that it's been awhile since I've blogged...and she is VERY right.

A lot has happened since I last posted...let's see, here are some highlights -

• I helped coordinate a wedding for two of my bestest friends! It was a very lovely day and they both looked stunning!


• I've started on my scripture memory quest - currently working on Proverbs 31. Titus 2 is next.


• I cooked Easter Dinner for my family!


• I've had overnight guests - twice!!


• I've purchased and was approved for a passport!! Oh snap!!


• I've purchased tickets for a trip - more details to come after that occurs! Let's just say - I can't wait!! :)


• I, along with the rest of the family, participated in my neighborhood carport sale! It was a semi-success. The items I didn't sell - I loaded in to the car and donated them to charity. I figured it they are outside of my house - they aren't going back in!! It was so nice to get rid of stuff that I don't use any more. I also signed up for the local Kidney Foundation to put me on their monthly pick-up schedule - so I can continue to the process of simplifying.


• I've started recycling - some...I need to get better at this!


• I've lost 20 pounds! This has been a huge task for me...I have 40 more to go. I just love food so much!! But I'm learning to love exercise, and the way I feel in my clothes now!


• I planted a perennial garden, on my back patio! I love it! My mom got me a couple of solar globes stakes for my Birthday, and I put them in this garden - they change various colors starting at dusk and rotate throughout the night - I love it!


• I celebrated my Birthday! I hosted a pottery painting party at my favorite studio for friends and family- and it was a lot of fun!! Jenni provided the delicious food at this party and at my family cook-out. I also enjoyed two other birthday dinners!!


• VBS is just around the corner, so I've been busy coordinating and planning - I'm so anxious and excited for it to be here.


• Because of the enormous amount of leaves at Villa de Megalicious, and because I felt like I was going to go crazy keeping up with cleaning them up - I purchased a leaf blower/mulcher dealy-o...it looks like a bazooka and it's almost as tall as I am (STOP LAUGHING!!) . Let's just say - I could be dangerous. But so far - I've not broken a nail! :)


• I've started creating some of the cleaning, home maintenance, holiday/seasonal decorating schedules.


• I've started working on a couple of original recipes!


• I'm hosting/coordinating a Book/Bible Study for teen girls (8th grade and above) in my home this summer! We meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. We are studying "Lies Young Women Believe - and the Truth that Will Set Them Free" - I highly recommend this book!! I have four girls that attend, and it's a great opportunity to build a connection with them and to invest into their lives.


• I've started disciplining/witnessing to a teen girl who is facing various struggles/issues right now. I must say, I don't feel equipped to fill this roll - but God has given me the right words, verses, etc. just as I need them. We are building a connection, and I'm hoping that our time together is helping her. She's not a believer, but attends a church faithfully - she knows her need of salvation, she's just not ready yet (those are her words, not mine). So that has been something we've talked about in great detail.


• I assisted in coordinating IBC's Mother/Daughter Luncheon! I enjoyed it a great deal, although it was one of the more stressful events I've planned!


• I've been at Huntington for almost one year now...hard to believe, I know!


• Meg's Meal Ministry is slowly getting back up and "running". I was able this week to provide a meal for a young family who has been visiting our church. I have a list of meals to make and people to have in my home...I just need to make the time. I'm hoping that the mid-July early August I'll be able to be doing more in this area - and increasing it in the coming months.


• I was asked to make an appreciation breakfast for volunteers who work in our church's Maternity Resource Center. It's not until September - but I'm so excited about this. I've never done anything like this for so many people (40 ish)...and I'm looking forward to the challenge!!


• We are doing some Life Skills classes with the ladies @ IBC (High School age and above) - and I was asked to teach a class on Crock-Pot/Slow Cooker Cooking. That's coming up at some point this Summer/early Fall. I must say, this one I'm a little nervous about! We have many wonderful cooks at IBC - and I really hope I am able to meet the desires/expectations of the ladies in the class!! I'm hoping to show them crock-pots aren't only for making Soup or Pot Roast.

As you can see - a lot has occurred, and hopefully you see why I've not posted in a while. I feel I'm missing some thing - and it's probably something big. But honestly - I'm starting to see a pattern, that I don't like - I'm using the word "I" a lot! It's not really I that is doing all of this - it's actually God. He is the one who is providing and working in many of these areas - I'm just a vessel He is choosing to use. Several items on here are part of the goals I've set for myself - and while some are things I've purposely begun or started...some are simply doors that I've seen God open...the Crock-Pot class, disciplining the teen girl, the appreciation breakfast opportunity. I must say that it's exciting to see what God is doing in my life and through me - and while right now I'm feeling slightly disconnected from a place that once felt like home - I'm rejoicing that I'm very connected to God, and I'm enjoying walking with Him...following His lead.

More to come...on those things listed above and other topics not yet discussed! Hope you are still following me!! :)