Rush hour

That's right, this is what I experience every day--TWICE! Actually, the Lord has taught me a lot about myself and Himself as I spend an hour and a half (at least) every day sitting in stop-and-go traffic. For this reason, I am inspired to play 12 Blessings about Rush Hour Traffic! These are listed mostly in no particular order.


1. I have become more patient as I join in Rush Hour (let me add that I definitely have a LOT to learn in this area and I do indeed still have impatient moments, days, weeks...).
2. Rush Hour to work is good preparation as I can pray and/or listen to worship music in the 35-50 minutes I have alone.
3. Rush Hour home is a good time to unwind, again praying and/or listening to worship music.
4. Often times the Lord uses different experiences in Rush Hour to remind me of His attributes (sovereignty, faithfulness, protection and many more).
5. There have been several Rush Hour moments (mostly on my way home) where the Lord breaks me of sin and I can just think and pray about whatever He has shown me.
6. Rush Hour never fails to remind me that I am not the only person in the world who wants to get home after a long day.
7. Rush Hour is a good time of anticipating seeing my wonderful husband again at home :-D
8. Every so often Rush Hour serves as a time to catch up with friends and family on my cell phone--using an earpiece of course!
9. Rush Hour gives me a chance to listen to the news that I'd like to hear but don't always want to make the time for it.
10. Rush Hour reminds me that life is precious but fleeting, which causes me to ask myself how I will live each day in a way that is honoring to the Lord.
11. Rush Hour reminds me to pray for others, even if I don't know all the details of their lives and struggles, I can still pray for them.
12. Rush Hour provides hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people with jobs--the police officers pulling miscreants over, the construction workers seeking to widen the already massive freeways, the guys who do smog checks, the guys who pump gas at gas stations... Just think how many people benefit!

Ok, so I got a little desperate on that last one, but it is true!

On a more humorous note... this morning as I participated in Rush Hour I saw a guy in a convertible with the top down. Not an abnormal sight you might think, but I bet you have never seen a guy in a convertible with the top down--wearing a chicken hat! Yes, that's right, this guy had a chicken hat strapped onto his head. It looked like those chickens in the Muppet Babies. I nearly burst out laughing. I suppose people do strange things on Halloween. Oh yeah, and Happy Halloween! 

Our Apartment - Part II

It would seem that our blog has decided to stop accepting pictures for the day. My solution? To send you to our updated web albums! I will post the rest of our apartment pictures on there, although with much less commentary. Perhaps some will be glad for that... Anyway, enjoy and have a lovely Monday!

p.s. The office closes tomorrow at 3 pm for Halloween. Needless to say, I'm excited :-D

Our Apartment - Part I

Welcome to a tour of our first apartment! I made a really cool video too, but I'm totally unfamiliar with putting videos on our blog. If you'd like the video (even though it catches Happy belching into the camera) please email me.

To the right is the "dining room" area in our apartment. The door on the right side of the picture is the front door (if you couldn't guess) and you can somewhat see the entrance to the kitchen to the right of and perpendicular to the front door. As you can see, we've done a lot with decorating in this part of the apartment. And our hanging fruit baskets are empty (just as they usually are).

Here I'm standing in the doorway to the "dining room," looking into our living room. You can tell that those two five-shelf bookcases are pretty full, we have another three-shelf bookcase in our bedroom that is packed. Perhaps this is a better view of our empty fruit basket? Oh, I'd also like to say that I didn't exactly "tidy up" before taking all these pictures. I was mostly too excited about having my new camera!

To the right is one side of our lovely little kitchen. As you can see, we now have our refrigerator, complete with magnets. I even have a little rug for in front of the sink. You can see the large cabinets on the left also, which are WONDERFUL and packed full of food and anything I couldn't find a place for :-)

Ok, apparently I can't add more pictures to this post.... New post!

More to come...

I thought I'd just let you know that the pictures from today were just to whet your appetite for even more pictures to come. Perhaps they will be honeymoon pictures... apartment pictures......... silly pictures of Happy & Amy.................... who knows?!?

Pictures!!!

Yes, that's right, I finally brought the camera to work to test if I could get pictures onto the blog this way. SUCCESS!!! The only problem is Picasa is somewhat unreliable. Sooo.... I started a few web albums! Right now you'll find our jack-o-lanterns (also below), pictures of the car when we got hit (by the way, it's all fixed now :-D) and some other random pictures. Enjoy!

Jack-o-Lanterns!

Since this is apparently the only way I can post pictures on our blog, here are the pictures of our carved pumpkins. Guess which one I did and which one Happy did...

First, here are all the pumpkins in their glory:

A: Bat on small jack-o-lantern
B: Grim Reaper

C: The scared guy
 

My first pumpkin bread

 

Happenings

Since I've run out of things to do at work, I thought I'd spend a few minutes updating about the happenings of our life.

For those of you who have been wondering, my allergies are doing much better, although I do still get random headaches every so often. But, I'm definitely not as miserable or as exhausted all the time. Praise the Lord for that! Oh, and I'm hoping that I never have to have another scratch test as long as I live. I'm wondering if I should warn all my doctors in the future that I really don't like needles?

Happy has been videotaping Liberty's football games for the season, as you may recall. Last week Liberty lost 64-30 to Saddleback Valley Christian, continuing their losing streak. They are now 0-6 on the season, but everyone was very excited that LCS was able to score a whole 30 points in one game! Actually, it was pretty exciting, despite the comment I heard later that Saddleback Valley was hardly putting forth any effort at all. Interesting how getting more points in one game than you have the entire season can boost your spirits. I will say though that last week's game was much more exciting to watch than most (all?) of the others. Plus, the Saddleback Valley cheerleaders were actually pretty good (even though they did have their share of cheesy cheers--"Let me hear that left foot stomp! Boom! Shake it up, shake it up!") and I got to watch the game with Katie :-)

I finally finished Jerusalem Interlude and have moved on to Danzig Passage, the fifth book of the series. ONE more after this one! I'm hoping to finish them before I go home for Christmas so then I can be reading something else. Like I said a long time ago, I think I want to read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, but we'll see how many times I change my mind. Speaking of books, we finally got our very first dictionary (of our married life)! Happy really loves it. Whenever I ask what a word means he gets an excited look on his face and jumps up to retrieve the dictionary. Oh the joy of little things in life!

Ok, that's all I've got for today. Hopefully the mail will come soon so I can sort it and get to more invoices! It's also payday today so I'll have lots to do once the checks are all cut and signed. YAY!! Have a lovely Wednesday!

Almost November??

Saturday night Jared & Daina (from my work) came over for dinner, to carve pumpkins and to play Cranium. Hopefully at some point we'll figure out how to get pictures on our blog because the pumpkins came out REALLY awesome! Plus, it was lots of fun hanging out with Jared & Daina, even though they did beat us at Cranium.

Sunday afternoon we went to a farmers' market with Steven & Emily (from church) and to lunch at Red Robin. We got to know them a lot better, which was really cool. Steven & Emily are in the "young marrieds" Sunday school class with us. Emily is in charge of the Valentine's Day banquet at the church and asked me if I'd be interested in helping her with all the planning. Of course I said I would (and am VERY excited about it!) so our lunch on Sunday was meant to talk more about the banquet and planning for it. Yes, we both forgot to bring up that subject so we'll be talking at some point this week.

So, our weekend was pretty full. Saturday morning we did lots of cleaning and laundry (5 loads!) and Sunday after lunch we went grocery shopping. When we got home I cut Happy's hair and then took a nap, even though it was 6 pm :-) I woke up around 7:15, ate dinner, read a went back to bed by 9:15. We were planning on going for a bike ride at some point, but it just didn't happen. Perhaps a bike ride will happen tonight...? We'll see.

Something I've been noticing lately about life after college: it's just as busy now as it was in college--but a different kind of busy and without the stress of homework and deadlines.

By far the strangest thing about life after college: I feel like I'm getting older, but time is standing still. Perhaps that has something to do with the lack of seasons in southern California, but it feels as though nothing is changing and then all of a sudden the day, week, month is gone and it's the next one. Weird. I guess it felt like that in college a little, but at least I had the measure of semesters. Now time just goes on without any sort of measurement. I remember being around 12 years old thinking that days were so long and I could never imagine myself as a grown-up. When I was about 4 or 5 years old I told my mom that I never wanted to grow up. The reason--then I couldn't wear my favorite shirt (the one I had that matched the one that My Buddy wore). Now I still don't consider myself a "grown-up," but I do notice that kids look younger and younger to me.

So here's my question to be answered by those who may not consider themselves "grown-up" but technically are "grown-up." Do you remember thinking all this kind of stuff? Do you still think this kind of stuff? Does every generation look at the next generation and think, "When I was that age..."? I look forward to LOTS of comments :-) Have a wonderful week!

Celebrate!

There's reason to celebrate in Oaktown! The Raiders finally won!

The picture is Derrick Burgess crushing Matt Leinart. Ah, beautiful!

Update

I'm on my lunch break and decided to leave a lackadaisical post:

Current book I'm reading: Uh, nothing because I just finished Albert Camus's The Stranger. Next up, probably one of the three books Mike just mailed to me (thanks Mike, they arrived safe and sound).

Current article I'm reading: "Must I Learn How To Interpret The Bible?" by DA Carson. Fascinating read; I'm learning a lot.

Next movie I'd like to see: Tie. The Good Shepherd and The Prestige both look very promising (but we all know how very often Hollywood breaks its promises).

Classic movie I'd like to see: The Big Sleep.

What I'm planning on doing in 15 minutes: Teach my junior highers some volleyball techniques while trying to keep the boys from spitting on each other.

Out.

Really? Every week?

I began this post yesterday, but didn't get a chance to finish it... so, now I will :-)

A short while ago I had an interesting exchange with another person in the office. He overheard me listening to a sermon and asked who I was listening to. When I said John Piper, he got a puzzled expression on his face and said he'd never heard of the guy. We talked a little about Piper and then my co-worker asked if I like "that kind of stuff." I sort of held back a chuckle and smiled and said, "Yes, I do." He then responded with what sounded like a disappointed "Oh." Rather than let the conversation end with that I asked "Why do you ask?" Here he said he was just curious and then mentioned that he attends a certain church, which will remain nameless. I appeared somewhat surprised (which I was), which bothered him, and even asked if he went every week, which also bothered him. Thankfully, I then asked him if he enjoyed it (since the church is somewhat large) and managed to dig myself out of the hole I'd begun digging.

Ok, so what am I sharing this for? First of all, I was reminded that I definitely lack tact sometimes. Aside from that it got me thinking about why I was surprised to hear he attended this particular "Christian" church. I was surprised precisely because I wouldn't have picked him out as a Christian in the place I work. Rather than go into all the reasoning behind my judgment (whether it was a good or bad judgment), I'd like to change the subject slightly.

I wonder if I am a person that others would pick out as a Christian? If I met up with another Christian in similar circumstances, would he or she be surprised if I mentioned what church I went to? Do I live as if Christ makes a difference in my life? How do I walk by the Spirit in the small things that occupy my time each day?

I suppose these are just some questions that I would challenge you (if you are a Christian) to think about. I pray that I will ask myself the last two questions for the rest of my life. May God use you greatly today in both the spectacular and seemingly meaningless tasks He has set before you this day; and may He be glorified in what He does through you!

Books

For those of you who know me, you know exactly why I loved this post on Al Mohler's blog. Plus, I think it is very true. It reminded me of when Mike and Raphaelle came over and Raphaelle said she would organize her books by colors instead of alphabetically by author (my preferred method). Anyway, read it and tell me what you think.

No, seriously, comment on this.

DO IT!

NOW!

My Scratch Test

Happy's summary was quite accurate, but I thought I'd go ahead and explain a little bit of the experience from my perspective.

The whole thing started when I went to our doctor and found out my insurance hadn't completely gone through yet. After a few phone calls and talking with the receptionist in the doctor's office, I learned that the doctor doesn't actually do allergy tests. After leaving work early to find this out I was a bit frustrated and called my boss, Rebecca, to let her know. She then called a bunch of allergists and dermatologists to see if anyone could take me today. Finally she found the one in Long Beach (Dr. Ochsner) and we went, after I picked Happy up to go with me. I thought perhaps I might not be ok to drive home after the scratch test.... Good hunch I'd say.

When we got to the allergist there were a few people in the waiting room, so we just sat and read our books for a while. Once it was my turn, Dr. Ochsner brought me in, looked in my ears ("Nice ears!") and nose ("Not so nice nose...") and then listened to me breathe. He asked if I ever have trouble breathing and I said only a little when I'm around cats for a while. Then he explained to me how the scratch test works. It's actually not a scratch, but a puncture... with a needle. As he pulled out six different bottles, he explained to me that he'd test out six different things I might be allergic to. He drew three red lines on my left forearm and then proceeded to stick me with six different needles and substances--one on each tip of the three red lines.

At this point I should mention that Dr. Ochsner was probably easily in his 60s and an extremely kind and friendly man. He definitely had that grandfatherly way about him and I felt very comfortable with him.

Before he started I told him I really don't like blood. He said I should be fine. After the first shot I said I really don't like needles either. He proceeded to tell me that he used to not like them either, but after so many years and experiencing such wonderful things from needles (i.e. birth), he has sort of gotten over it. "Plus," he said, "it helps to be on the other end of the needle!" I wasn't very amused as he pointed out that there were only four more to go! By the third one I said I wasn't feeling so good and could feel the color draining from my face. He said I could put my head between my knees and it would help. I immediately did so, holding my left arm out of my range of vision as he injected me with the fourth substance. Here my legs started to shake and I began to get dizzy. I kept saying, "I don't feel good... I don't feel good... I don't feel good..." He continued with his countdown "Just two more! You'll be fine!"

The fifth and sixth ones felt like they took forever. I had my eyes closed and was digging my right index fingernail into my right thumb to distract myself from the needle poke. It didn't work. When he finished the sixth one he said, "Alright, you can go back into the waiting room with your husband." I staggered out and collapsed into the first chair, which happened to be two seats away from where Happy was sitting. He gently said, "Come sit next to me..." While I did hear him, I didn't respond because I was concentrating on not vomiting or passing out. After a minute he said, "Ok, I'll just move then..." By then I had put my head down again between my legs and was asking where the bathroom was. Happy got up and glanced around, but it was too late. I puked right there on the carpet of the waiting room. Thankfully there were no other patients waiting there.

Dr. Ochsner, as Happy said, wasn't fazed by my vomit and calmly brought out paper towel after paper towel--wet ones and dry ones, for me and the carpet. Happy cleaned it up and could definitely tell I had eaten strawberry yogurt. Interestingly enough, I felt much better afterwards. Dr. Ochsner said it usually works that way. (I think he knew that and was just helping me to get to the point of vomiting!)

After a few minutes the doctor brought me back in from the waiting room and explained to me the welts that were developing on my arm from the shots. Five of them were ones he thought I'd be allergic to and one was an injection that he knew I wasn't allergic to (as a point of comparison with the others). I got a 100%! I was allergic to all five of the injections, but the most allergic to rye grass, which was like a mini-continent on my forearm. The others were just little islands--dust mite, Chinese oak (I think), and tumbleweed were ones I remember. Tumbleweed was the next largest welt. He then brought us outside to the parking lot to show us what Chinese oak looked like. Soon, we learned about all of the trees in the parking lot, from this knowledgeable doctor. Meanwhile, I'm sneezing every 5 seconds or so and in dire need of a tissue, which is waiting for me back inside the office. When we got back inside, I grabbed several tissues and Dr. Ochsner explained my allergies a bit more.

Apparently my nose is super healthy because it has been working 24 hours a day to deal with all the pollen in the air. That, however, means that I am exhausted all the time because my body keeps trying to fight the pollen. He also explained that I have a slight case of asthma, but if we deal with my nose, the asthma should never be much of a problem. So, he gave me free samples of two different nose sprays (Nasonex and Astelin, for those who are interested) and told me how to spray properly (nose to toes and opposite hands). He did one dose for me and then explained that it could make me feel drowsy, but might not. We went home (Happy drove) and I basically felt like I'd been attacked and was indeed exhausted, but not from the nose spray, as I have since learned. The scratch test wore me out.

So, the next morning (yesterday) I woke up to a swollen and burning hot forearm, along with tingly fingers. I went to work, cried on the way (because I called my mom and started thinking I might need to have my arm amputated or drained with a huge needle), and then called Dr. Ochsner when the office opened. They said I could come back in and he'd take a look at it. I did and he gave me Benadryl and said to put heat on my arm to increase circulation. I then decided to go home for the day and conk out with the Benadryl. Over the last few days I think I've slept more than I've been awake! Last night the swelling moved up to my elbow a bit more and the inside of my elbow is a bit fat. But, the redness has lessened and my arm isn't as burning hot as it was yesterday. Still, it's pretty heavy and tight, and I'm looking forward to it getting back to normal! It's been quite an exciting week for me, but the good news is, the nose sprays are helping a lot--and my arm does not need to be drained with a huge needle or amputated :-) Thank you for all your prayers and concerns!

Allergies

Amy and I went to an allergy and asthma specialist in Long Beach last night to find out about Amy's recent bout with allergies, a cold and we hoped nothing else. I'm sure Amy will have some more vivid images to accost your senses with, but she had a scratch test. Six injections in her left arm. She's very allergic and the doctor said she has minor asthma, which we didn't know. I don't have much time, so let me summarize: she was very white and faint (a la needles and blood) and puked a little bit on the office carpet, which didn't seem to faze the doctor. She has two nasal sprays to use now. We hope they will work because Amy is miserable, in pain and constantly exhausted. She went back to the doctor this morning because her whole left forearm is swollen and it seems that the blood is having trouble pumping. We'll update next we know. Adieu.

Our Postmodern World

This has been a busy week of invoices, but I just listened to a message from the 2006 Desiring God National Conference. It was so challenging to me that I thought I'd share it with anyone who's interested. The title of the sermon is The Supremacy of Christ and the Church in a Postmodern World. Just click here and then click the "Listen" link with the little speaker next to it.

If you're interested in listening to more, check out their list of sermons since 1980! All of the messages from the Conference can be found here on the Recently Added Resources page. Oh, and we do have a link to the Desiring God website on the side of our blog. There are also many other really great study tools to be found on the website.



p.s. Dad, I bet you'd LOVE this site!

A Restless Evil

This morning I overheard a loud, colorful argument from the motel next to our apartment building. One woman shouted "Words don't mean...." Well, maybe I won't quote her. Basically she was saying that actions speak louder than words. I've been thinking about that all morning. I've also been thinking about the nursery rhyme "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." But how many people hold grudges because of what someone said? What's the harm in gossip if words don't hurt? Why does James say that no one can tame the tongue, "...a restless evil and full of deadly poison" (3:8)?

I keep thinking about the fact that once you say something, you can't take it back. Shouldn't that make me more careful to speak? James, again, reminds us to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (1:19).

But do we keep silent so as not to offend? "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men" (Rom. 12:18). What about "being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15)? And the Great Commission "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I [Jesus] commanded you..." (Matt. 19-20)?

Should Christians wait to speak until someone asks "Hey, why are you different?" Or should we say we are Christians and then prove it with our actions? Why are the opinions of Christians so shunned when opinions of others (which are equally close-minded) are not only palatable but accepted?

It comes down to this in my mind (and in the Bible): Jesus was despised and forsaken so that we could have life and have it abundantly. He humbly took on the form of a man and lived the perfect example for us to follow. Unfortunately, we can't do it perfectly. But, we should not be surprised when people despise us and do not want to hear our words. But Christians must never be ashamed of the gospel and the Great God who wrote it!