Meanwhile....

Genesis 37:34-36

34 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. 36 Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Our Senior pastor was back on Sunday after a four week break. I really didn't want to get up and go to church in fact we got in Jim's car and had to come back to the house because his tire was so low and we almost just gave it up and stayed home. But we switched cars and headed out a second time. I don't know why it surprised me, but it was worth it. God has blessed our pastor with the ability to present the stories we have heard for years in a way that becomes pertinent to our (or at least my) life today in 2009.

He started a series on Joseph, you know the guy with coat of many colors. I know this story inside and out, I've heard it a million times. I would say it is one of my favorite Bible stories. So how is it possible that Sunday morning it became a whole new story for me.

He started with examining the two hands of God...the hand of the miracles of God and the hand of God's providence. The providence of God -- His ability to work through any situation that we happen to get ourselves into. The providence of God provides a way... Joseph is arrogant and obviously his Father's favorite...jealous brothers take the future into their own hands... lies are presented to a heartbroken father...greed overwhelms... but meanwhile.... God's hand of Providence prepares the way.

These past few months I have been struggling. What am I doing with my life? Am I being a successful parent? How do I get my cheerleader back? In the words of Bob Hope to his wife of 69 years.. "What are you doing for the rest of your life?...the north and south and east and west of your life?" This is the question that is turning my comfortable life upside down.

I have been reading, searching, questioning, praying, crying, running, eating, hoping for an answer or some guidance...the came Sunday.

God's hand of Providence... God his working through all the situations in which I find myself. There is not a path I take where He cannot lead. That even when I don't quite know what I'm doing he is ahead of me preparing the way. Maybe I just have to push on through these crazy moments to find the light...so to speak.

So, I don't find the struggle completely over, I still seem to find myself in a new search for something, I still feel a little off balance and somewhat crazy, but I press on looking forward to the next part of God's providence in my life. I know that as I do my part to travel this road with as much eloquence as possible that there is a way through...God goes before me...Meanwhile...

A Welcomed Surprise!

When I arrived home from work today I had the sense, even as I walked in the door, that someone had baked something. I don't really bake--I cook dinner, and can usually follow a recipe to make casseroles and such, but baking, not so much. I knew Jim had been home at lunchtime so I thought maybe he had baked something in the oven and the smell was just lingering. But no... My wonderful daughter sheepishly says that I need to carefully open the freezer to see what she has created. This is what I discovered...


Yes... She made Cream Puffs!! My mom had given her a cookies press that she bought at a garage sale and there was a recipe for cream puffs so she just decided to make them. No hesitation, no thoughts of failure, no reason not to believe that she can cream puffs... who knew?

I give credit for this new "cooking enthusiasm" to my friend Alisa who has been patiently, lovingly, and selflessly teaching 6 almost 7th grade girls to cook this summer. Jenna did you proud today.

By: Jenna

Vacation is over? Already? Sure we added an extra day, but it went by so fast!!! Caribe was Amazing!!! 3 indoor pools, 3 outdoor pools, a lazy river, 3 wonderful resorts, a snack bar (including ice-cream and icees), 7 slides (2 of which I went on), 3 tennis courts, a bocce ball court (does anyone know what that is?), a tram to the beach which was so cool (the tram was bright yellow by the way), a fishing dock,and great service. We also went para sailing (i didn't do that), went on a dolphin cruise, got hair raps, tye-dyed t-shirts, and swam every day! Some stuff wasn't as cool. Like making our own beds, making our own food, the fact that the seats were NOT attached to the chairs, we accidentally broke a glass, and Micheal Jackson died. The last one's a real downer on any ones day. My best wishes to the family. That's all I have to say. Maybe my mom will let me post for her again. Good-Bye!!!!

Balcony Cam

Well, it's not streaming video, but it's a still image that refreshes every 15 seconds. Click on the photo to access our "balcony cam". We're on the 12th floor and we've already seen a school of dolphins going by.

Pulling it all together!

The countdown is on. The last loads of laundry are waiting to be folded. The suitcases need to have their zippers zipped. Then we will be on our way. Be sure and check back next week-- Jim is going to try to figure out how to set up a web cam from our condo balcony. I'll let you know if it works.

I plan to return to my reality tan, rested and ready!!

How Lori got her Groove back...

I have found my groove. I decided to follow the old wise saying that has been quoted through the ages, well at least through the last few years. Just Do It!--Nike

One of my favorite speakers is Tony Campolo and he tells a story of how awful he was at being a marriage counselor that he really had no patience for what seemed like frivolous complaints from spouses. But in telling of his experience he reminds us that sometimes you just have to move forward. That if you are not feeling that you are in love anymore or that you have lost the loving feeling that sometimes what it takes to get it back is to respond in the way the you would if you did love that person. How would you treat them if you loved them and then do that. Eventually the feelings will follow the actions because love is as much or more about action as it is about feelings. So that's what I did about vacation this weekend.

I decided to get ready, to go through all the motions that I would normally go through to get ready for a trip. And it seemed to have worked. I'm much more excited. This trip is calling for some weird packing plans though. I have packed "activity" bags.

The "Pool and Beach" bag

the "Car" bag

The "Games and Crafts" bag

The "Kitchen and Cooking" Bag

The "Wii" bag

My "Clothes" bag--still doing laundry for this bag.

I really have my groove back...I'm ready to go, well except for the empty bag. My my spirit is back in check. So I plan to return Tan, Rested and Ready... Jim's thinking about a webcam from the balcony so all can enjoy our view of the bay --check back to see if happens.

Invaded by 12 year olds...

Some women are dripping with diamonds
Some women are dripping with pearls
Lucky me! Lucky me!
Look at what I'm dripping with
Little girls
---Miss Hannigan (from Annie)

My twitter is now being invaded by 7th grade girls. They want me to follow them (which I guess is a good thing). They want to follow me (maybe not such a great thing). They want to follow one another and tweet into the evening. I'm sure the excitement of it will die down but for now it's all the rage. I guess there are worse habits they could pick up. So for now, I will continue to tweet responsibly.