Updates on Life

Really, I have not meant to be so neglectful of this blog or my friendships with my readers. I thought I would return by giving you some updates on life and what I am learning. Not much has changed concerning daily life. I still go to the Monday - Friday job of "too many papers" at Covenant and try so hard to pay attention to the thousands of details this job requires. Still living in the little house but that will soon end so I can live closer to work. And I'm very excited about a trip back to the UK in 10 days time. I'l be visiting friends in London, Nairn, Dunfermline and Glasgow. I have all kinds of mixed feelings about the trip. I fear it might be a bit of an emotional roller coaster, which is to be expected. But mostly I expect that it will be an opportunity for me to take a deep breath and relish in the what I love most in life, ministering to people's souls. That is what Scotland was about for me and that is what I miss the most about it now.

That brings me to what I am learning. I have not been easily accepting of the Lord's discipline in my life this past year. It has been His desire to refine me to be holy through all kinds of trials and through giving me a time of rest. Just being content to rest has been so hard when I desperately want to return to full time ministry. Recently I was encouraged by a Andrew Murray quote given to me by a friend.

In time of trouble, say "First, he brought me here. It is by his will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest." Next, "He will keep me here is his love, and give me the grace in this trial to behave as his child." Then say, "He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to learn, and working in me the grace he means to bestow." And last, say, "In his good time he can bring me out again. How and when, he knows." Therefore, say, "I am here (1) by God's appointment, (2) in his keeping, (3) under his training, (4) for his time."

So even in this "job of too many papers" there are lessons, many lessons, to be learned. And I have faith that it won't be forever.......

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, Off to Michigan I go!

I just took down my beautiful Christmas tree. It was definitely dead, but felt like plastic as most of the needles stayed put while I ripped the lights off the branches. Still have to clean the kitchen, pay some bills, finish laundry, and pack a suitcase before bed. I drive to Michigan tomorrow. Yipee! I only wish it were going to be restful. But I'm excited to catch up with friends and family. Hope to see some of you there!

My favorite things

These are a few of my favorite things.....at Christmas!
~ The Divine Family, the Hertzog Family, and the Fisher Family and all the fun memories with them during Christmas 2006
~ Lookout Mountain Church Christmas Eve Service with the glow of candle light in the sanctuary during Silent Night
~ Each person holding their own candle during Silent Night, even when the wax drips down and scalds your fingers.
~ Candy Cane flavored Christmas Coffee from Walmart
~ Dan Fisher's new membership in the Scotch club and he even shares with me!
~ Children opening their presents so fast you can't tell who got what!
~ Everything peppermint!
~ Families coming home to Lookout Mountain and being able to say hello to people you have not seen in years.
~ My stainglass houses and fresh greens & hollyberries decorating the house.
~ The angels telling the shepherds to not be afraid.

Back by not so popular demand

So there really are people besides my mother who read this blog! Thanks for the recent messages urging me to get writing again (all three of them). Life has been lots of fun since I've last posted which has left me little time for the computer. The fun has brought some friends to Chattanooga including my best friend from college Michelle and her kids, and also my best friend from Scotland, Agnes. Yes, the one my car is named after. I'll try to post some pictures of our adventures but I always seem to hit some snags doing that.

In the meantime, here is my funny little adventure today. I can barely handle Walmart since returning to America for a myriad of reasons, but mostly because it is just too overwhelming. Today I was acquiesced to stop at Wallyworld to pick up envelopes and address labels for Christmas cards. The alternative was going out to the Hamilton Place Mall area which, at this time of year, I call "Hamilton Hell". While I walked the ailes with a glazed over look on my face I suddenly remembered that I needed to buy toothpaste. This was all too exciting because I have been waiting to buy toothpaste for months. The last time I bought some at the grocery in Glasgow there was a two for one deal and the same boring flavor has lasted me most of the year. A couple months ago I had to pick up some toothpaste for Stacy at the store and was amazed at the choices. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but I've been looking forward to buying a particular brand and flavor of toothpaste for a couple months.

So today was the big day for buying toothpaste. To say I was completely overwhelmed in the toothpaste aisle is an understatement. There were way too many brands and flavors and I could not find what I wanted - the very toothpaste I had picked out months ago. I was in shock that one store could have so many kinds of toothpaste and as I stood in awe I began to count the different containers! I stopped when I got to 119! I had yet to count the kids flavors and the special denture stuff. There was another woman there who was obviously very overwhelmed as well. She turned and me some magazine said that Colgate's Luminous Enamel Strengthening toothpaste was rated the very best so that is what she was getting. So I got it too. Now my teeth will be luminous and my breath will smell like Crystal Clean Mint! I really hope this is the last "I'm back in America learning how to shop again...." experience I will have. They have big stores in Britain. It's just that nothing compares to Wallyworld. 119. All I needed was one.

PS. Since I just checked this with spell check, I now know how to spell toothpaste. There is no "e" in the middle!

Autumn in Chattanooga

Can I drive you to Chattanooga
Where the city in October looks like fire
Changing lanes on this restless highway
Between this living and desire



These lyrics are from Sandra McCracken's new album Gravity Love. Every time I hop in the car I turn up that song and marvel at the autumnal beauty this year. The leaves on the trees have been especially vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and red. Now that the colors have reached their peak, the mountains really do appear to be on fire. In a matter of days it will be over, but for now I soak in the beauty and think about the creativity of the creator. He must love all these colors he chose to splash our city this time of year. It is all so majestic and grandeur. And to think that He loves me even more.