Sermon in a Sentence

...there is a force in the world that doesn't want us to live good stories. It doesn't want us to face our issues, to face our fear and bring something beautiful into the world. -Donald Miller

Wordless Wednesday - Hope of Spring

Join in at Wordless Wednesday!

Sermon in a Sentence

We never know our own strength until we fully rely on God's.

Flashback Friday #2

THE QUESTION
When was your first date? You can choose either your first date ever or your first date with your spouse - or both! How old were you? What did you do/where did you go? Did anything memorable - either good or embarrassing? If it was your first date ever, did you continue to date that person? If so, how long? If you are sharing the story of the first date with the person you married, did you know then that he/she was "the one" or did it take a longer for love to bloom? Any other memories you wish to share about those wonderfully awkward first dates?!

THE ANSWER
As a teen I always went for older guys. My first date was just prior to my Freshman year in high school. I'd met the guy over the summer at the local swim club. We'd been talking on the phone and seeing each other at the pool occasionally where I was a member and he sometimes came as a visitor with a friend. The pool had an end of summer dance for teens and I remember dancing to "Stairway to Heaven". We also, shortly before or after that (I really don't remember), went to King's Island with my older sister and her boyfriend. We ended up dating for almost two years but the relationship did not survive the "he's in college, she's still in high school" problem.

Side note - many years later after my divorce I had another first date at King's Island. This is not a typical choice for a first date and certainly wasn't my idea either time, but it does give you lots of time to get to know someone.

My first date with my husband was at a Chinese restaurant where we sat in a booth across from each other and caught up on our lives (we'd been friends since high school but hadn't seen much of each other for a number of years). The funniest part was when we opened our fortune cookies my fortune read "The answer to all your problems is right in front of you".

Wordless Wednesday - Well at Least None That Are Mine

Lucky Random Dozen

1. On a scale of 1-10, how superstitious are you, honestly?

I'd say about a 3. I mean, walking under a ladder is just dumb and I've owned a black cat that crossed my path multiple times a day. On the other hand, I will pick up a penny or, if I ever got the chance, would kiss the Blarney Stone. However, it's a "can't hurt" type thing more so than thinking it will really make a difference.


2. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, "I came, I saw, I conquered." Which circumstance or experience of yours does this saying best describe?

My fear of heights maybe? I've been up in the St. Louis Arch, on top of Stone Mountain, and in the cable car that went up the side of the mountain in Gatlinburg where the "driver/guide" felt the need to tell us exactly how many feet off the ground we were and that if the cable broke we'd hit that ground in less than four seconds!

3. If I peeked in on your day like a mischievous little leprechaun, at what time would I most likely find you blogging?

It's usually either the middle of the day or way late at night.

4. Re springing forward for Daylight Saving Time, is there anything you've ever been really early or really late for?

I got the time mixed up and we were late for my son's preschool graduation 20+ years ago. I still feel awful about it.

5. What are you most looking forward to concerning Spring?

Planting my garden, definitely!

6. Shamrocks are the national flower of Ireland and are picked on St. Patrick's Day and worn on the lapel or shoulder. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?

Every year.

7. One of Caesar's assassins, Casca, said, "But, for my own part, it was Greek to me," which of course means he didn't understand something. Probably his own lines in the play. Anyway, what is something that is "Greek to you," something incomprehensible or indecipherable?

Computer programming and technical stuff. I do pretty well with software/ user end of things but not at all with the "how the computer works" kind of things. If you doubt that, ask my friend Norm or my son-in-law. They'll whole-heartedly confirm it.

8. Is March behaving more like a lion or a lamb where you live?

Yes - It's Indiana, need I say more?

9. "An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later." -Winston Churchill. If you had one extra hour per day every day, what would you do with it?

Wow, I feel like I should say something productive like exercise, or charitable like volunteer, or spiritual like pray. Realistically, I'd probably want to spend that hour doing something fun with someone I love.

10. Legend says that every Leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden deep in the Irish countryside. Aside from real gold or money, what material item would be in your dream pot of gold?

A lifetime free cruise pass including airfare.

11. "The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you." Robert Louis Stevenson. Look around you right now and tell us about something essential or beautiful very near you that you take for granted every day.

My computer that keeps me in touch with family and friends all over the world and my dog who loves me no matter what I say, do, or look like.

12. Just for a bit o' fun, click here (www.blogthings.com/irishnamegenerator/) and then report your Irish name. Mine is "Zoe O'Sullivan." I love it!

Mine came up as Izett McCarthy
Then this was right below it -

"What butter or whiskey does not cure cannot be cured."
Think I'd change that to chocolate or tequila, but that's just me.

Sermon in a Sentence

As long as we continue to see ourselves through past filters we can never be all God intended us to be.

Flashback Friday - Cruisin'

This is the debut week for Flashback Friday, a meme by Mocha with Linda.

Here is the week one prompt and my response.

How and when did you learn to drive? Do you have any particular memories associated with getting your driver license? How old were you when you got your first car and what was it? Who paid for it?

Way back in the day (ba-dump-bump)driver's education was offered through your high school every summer. I took this summer class shortly after I turned 15. There was classroom time including a terrifying drunk driving filmstrip. Remember those? Then we drove with an instructor and two other students. I remember being very nervous - more about the other two drivers in my car than of my own driving. After passing the class you still had to wait until you were 16 years and one month old to get your license. In the meantime you had a beginner's permit and could drive with any adult(over 18) licensed driver in order to get more experience. My parent's rule was that I could get my license when they thought I was ready, not necessarily one month after my 16th birthday. During that time I drove often with Daddy. He took me to the school parking lot to practice on the ice during the winter. He was an extremely patient man and let me drive often. Early in the Spring before I turned 16 we were driving down a familiar road that had a small hill. At the top of the hill in the oncoming lane was a garbage truck that had stopped to pick up garbage. As I started up the hill a car came flying over the hill around the truck! I immediately slammed on the brakes as I pulled to the very edge of the road. I was terrified! At that moment I wasn't sure I ever wanted to drive again. At that same moment, as I sat there shaking, my Dad said, "You're ready to get your license now."

Daddy had a 1967 Camaro (it's still in the family) that, at that time, was just an older car that all of us girls drove. The first car I bought (and paid for)was also a Camaro, a beautiful silver one, when I was 18. It is still my favorite make of car although I'm not really "in love" with the new 2010 style.

Random Dozen

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?

There is this pair I bought for my trip to Hawaii which makes them 12 years old. There is another pair I may have had before that but I'm not sure since they weren't purchased for a specific occasion.


2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?

I'm trying to lose some weight so I did not. Hubby, however, bought five boxes: Do-Si-Do's, Thin Mints (which are in the freezer) and Dulce de Leche.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to?

No and yes.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?

Define responsible. I got good grades, did my homework, never wrecked the car, etc. but I was rebellious.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?

I think three, although three more are in my Netflix queue.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?

Neither or either depending on the procedure and the other person.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Sunday - I love going to church, worshipping and getting a priority adjustment when needed. Every other Sunday is Life Group with great friends that feel more like family.

8. Do you miss anyone right now?

I miss the someone that someone used to be.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?

Not queasy so much as anxious. I really prefer to avoid them.

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you.

Wow, that's a tough choice. New York & Co. and Hobby Lobby both came to mind but, truth be told, I'd more likely max it out at Toys-R-Us/Babies-R-Us!

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?

It totally depends on the product. I want Kraft cheese, Penzey's spices, Purina dog food, Charmin t.p. and Ice Mountain water (I know, I know - my "green" downfall). However, I'll buy whatever laundry detergent, soda, or canned/frozen veggies that are on sale.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?

Definitely the latter.

Sermon in a Sentence

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose." - Lyndon B. Johnson

Sky Watch Friday

Go here to join in!

Random Dozen

1. Do you prefer even or odd numbers? Any particular reason?

I'd say even, although I have no idea why.

2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being Carly Simon-worthy, how vain are you?

Probably a 2. If I think people are talking about me it has way more to do with insecurity than thinking I'm "talk" worthy.

3. Among these Irish stereotypes, with which do you identify most closely? Talkative, Proud, Inquisitive, Love to party, Hot-tempered

Definitely talkative. No contemplation needed for that answer!

4. How lucky do you consider yourself?

This one is hard to answer since I think most things people call luck really are either blessings or hard work. It a coin toss kind of luck I'd say my luck is pretty 50/50 (ba-dump-dump).

5. What is the subject of your favorite post that you've written?

I don't really have an answer for this one. Posts about issues are the ones I feel most compelled to write although they aren't usually "fun" to read. Many of my favorite posts are actually photo posts for Wordless Wednesday or Sky Watch Friday.

6. Describe March weather where you live in three words.

Wet, cold, and windy.

7. How apt are you at detecting blarney when you hear it? (Smooth talk, flattery)

I'm usually aware of when someone is being disingenuous.

8. How "green" are you, environmentally speaking?

If I were giving myself a grade I'd say a B or B- probably. I try to be "green" but sometimes convenience wins out.

9. What is your favorite song this week?

I have a young friend that I wish would here and believe this song. She and the song have been on my mind all week.


10. You are walking along and see a coin on the ground. What denomination does it have to be before you will stop to pick it up?

Generally speaking I'd say a penny. However, if it's in a mud puddle or is complicated to get to for some reason it probably would need to be a quarter.

11. Complete the sentence: "Every time I look outside my window ...."

I wish it were Spring!

12. What was the #1 song on the day you were born?

Come Softly To Me by The Fleetwoods I didn't think I'd ever heard it until I listened to it, which surprised me since I have three older sisters. Once I listened I realized that I have heard it before.

Wordless Wednesday - Abby

This week has been mostly devoted to this precious little one...

Join in at Wordless Wednesday!