May30

Distracting Cats

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Distracting Cats

It’s contest time again! Leave a comment with your favorite or funniest or most-touching pet story. Our distinguished panel of judges will choose a winner, who will then be awarded a fabulous bag of pet treats! Deadline is next Wednesday, June 6th, 9 a.m.

How does my rear-end-shashaying-Queen-of-Sheba-cat Zoe remind me of myself?  Tune in to find out! :)

After I posted this vlog, my friend Liz had this to say about my story about Zoe and Baby.  It’s so good, I wanted to repost it here! “I can also relate to Zoe’s distraction, but sometimes I’m Baby, too – jealous when someone else is getting more attention than me, but running to and fro instead of just asking if I can have the “spa treatment” too:)”

May16

The Booth at Panera’s

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The Booth at Panera’s

First of all, Happy Mother’s Day! (Hey, even if you don’t have kids, you have a mom, right?) Hope you all had a special time with your family and/or friends.

Second of all, thank you to all of those who attended or supported our family friend, James, with his fund raiser for his missions trip to Africa. It was quite the success! :)

This week, say hello to a good ole’ fashioned blog. (No video blog). I wanted to share with you something really cool that happened last week. I went home and wrote this right after it happened. Here it is…

It’s been a rough week. Something happened that left me shocked and speechless, and other times sad and confused. Over the past few days, I vary between handling it okay, and sometimes the whole thing really gets me down. Occasionally my mind wanders and I wonder a little where God is in all this. Now before you get all Bible-quoting on me, ☺ I KNOW in my head that God is there, but sometimes it doesn’t FEEL like it, you know? Are you watching, God? I know this is an age old question, but when it hit me personally between the eyes, I wondered it all over again–before I caught and reminded myself that “fair” isn’t the name of the Bible. It’s not the “Fair Bible”. It’s the Holy Bible.

Rats. I’d really like my Christian life to be fair.

But this is just the intro to the REAL story. That is just the set up. ☺

I’ve been doing okay. I’m hurt, and I feel misunderstood. But over the last few days, I’ve tried to look at the big picture and see God’s hand in this. I know he didn’t make this happen, but I’m asking what’s in store. He’s known for taking bad things and making good out of them, right?

Today I was at Paneras with Kailey. We hate coming around lunchtime, because there never is a booth available. And the tables are always squished together. There’s not enough room to sit comfortably, much less have a private conversation. When we got our food, there was only one table available, in the middle of everything and even skinny Kailey had a hard time wedging herself into the space allotted for us to sit. As we took our first few bites, a booth opened up! We made a rush for it, like two gold diggers, staking out our claim.

As we stealthy slid into the booth seats, I noticed an elderly gentleman hobbling toward the booth we just took over. He stopped, changed directions and then continued to move to our table we just abandoned. I realized after we sat down, we had just taken this booth from him with our quick and somewhat-nimble actions.

I watched as he poured himself into the same spot Kailey just left. He got frustrated and gave the table a good shove. I felt so bad. The older I get, the more I understand how it feels to be old. It stinks. Everything hurts. And being wedged into a table is not an idea of fun. So I got up, walked over to him and asked if he would like our booth. Told him I realized too late that we had taken it from him. Just then his wife walked up and he looked at her with a little look of surprise on his face. They accepted our offer, thanking us. We exchanged tables. I thought that was the end of it.

As Kailey and I were eating, another older gentleman came up and said, “I just saw what you did, and I want to give you something. Kindness like that should be noticed.” He then handed Kailey and me each a movie ticket voucher. It was my turn to be surprised. It felt good. And something inside clicked. I started crying. I couldn’t help myself. Right there, sitting at that squished table, in the middle of everything.

It was as if God was saying, “You’re okay, Laurie. I know you feel beat up right now. But in spite of it all, I’m watching and I love you. You are my child and just when you need it, I come to you looking like a 75 year old man, with movie vouchers.”

Then, when I could barely hold myself together because of the God moment I was having there in the middle of Paneras, the wife of the booth-trader came by and gave me a Panera cookie, thanking me. God again whispered in my ear, “Just in case you missed it the first time…you are a person of value and I love you.”

I’m no different from you. We all feel “beat up” from time to time. And in our finite minds, it’s hard to figure out. But God IS always there. Sometimes in human form. Thank you, Lord, for your reminder. ☺

I’d love to hear from you! Share a time when God came to you when you most needed Him.

May9

Mistakes That Work

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Mistakes That Work

One of my favorite childhood books of Kailey’s was “Mistakes That Worked.” Velcro, sticky notes, and even the Leaning Tower of Piza could fall into that category.

I went to an art class last night and was truly inspired by the diversity of God’s people. It’s how the church should look. It was refreshing to see each of us expressing the beauty God gave each one of us. But, then… one of the best things of the night was the “mistake that worked.” The conversation only lasted 30 seconds, but it so encouraged me.

Do you have any mistakes from your personal experiences you want to share? Maybe when God took a mistake and made it good? I’d love to hear from you.

Apr18

Family of God

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Family of God

What is that mysterious bond people have with one another? I went back to my alma mater Geneva College this past weekend and found that the years “melted away” to quote my college roommate, Rachel. How does that happen? It can only be attributed to one thing: the love of God. Yeah, we sure aren’t perfect. As Christians, we still do stupid things. But we do love each other. I think that’s what the Family of God is…a loving family, led by our heavenly Father.

Let’s hear from you–Tell us a time when you witnessed the Family of God in action.

PS Hey, a quick shout out to Lilly, Jack, Ken, Rachel, Amy, Jim, Barbara, Dr Farra, Lauren, Briana and all the other Geneva theater students! I so loved seeing you!

Apr11

Kony 2012, Cover the Night, and our Power

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Kony 2012, Cover the Night, and our Power

You may notice the absence of my face staring at you this week. That’s right, I’m writing a blog today, instead of a vlog! I had written the following little essay a couple weeks ago, in response to a young-adult friend asking me to join a cause.

Raise your hand if you have NOT heard of “Kony 2012.” It’s an intriguing marketing idea to help rid the world of Joseph Kony as a free man. He and the LRA are responsible for killing, pillaging and abducting children from the Sudan, Congo, Central African Republic and Uganda. The creators of Invisible Children came up with the idea of “Kony 2012” to make him such a worldwide household name, he will no longer be able to hide anywhere. Their video, Kony2012 became viral. People around the world are encouraged to “Cover the Night” on 4/20/12 with Kony 2012 posters. Now, there is an updated video. See it at http://www.kony2012.com/.

No one can deny the good that Invisible Children are doing. However, my young-adult friend was very concerned HOW the Kony 2012 did NOT warn other young people to not destroy other people’s property on “Cover the Night.” So, because April 20th is coming up in a little over a week, I thought I’d address it on my blog/vlog.

Here’s the essay I wrote in response to my young-adult friend:

As I watched the Kony 2012 video, like many others, I cried and got chill bumps. The atrocities of Kony must be stopped. And it’s thrilling to see how ordinary people like you and me can be a part of the answer. But the chills were also about a growing concern in me. And that is the power that anyone has in today’s culture. This power–the capability of reaching and influencing millions through multi media–can generate a whole lot of good…or a whole lot of bad.

I do have a few concerns regarding the destruction/defacing personal or public property on the night of April 20th. (Yes, I realize defacing property is small, considering the violence that Kony has created. But it still doesn’t make it right.) I can’t turn away from the fact that they have not publicized enough the respect-other’s-property issue. (New addition as of today…when I watched their latest video, they did have a short warning about not defacing property.) Both you (my friend) and Jason Russell (founder of Invisible Children) are doing what you believe needs to be made known. That’s what checks and balances are all about; one makes sure the other doesn’t go to extremes.

I think the bigger issue here is recognizing the power we all have these days to persuade people. Each of us has a responsibility to decide–are we going to be a good influence in our sphere or a bad one? We need to point out the things that need adjusting, regardless of the nay-sayers, all the while encouraging the same project that just needs a little realignment. (Just like my young-adult friend did. ☺ )

Another example of the power we hold in our hands today is how we can “take down” a strong, guided mover-and-shaker like Jason Russell. No, we didn’t literally tackle him, strip off his clothes and make him bang his fist on the sidewalk. But, according to the news reports, the barrage of attacks he endured over the last four weeks sent him over the edge. Russell is doing great things! But like all of us, he needs help. He’s human. Something may slip up. Again, that’s why we all need those checks and balances to keep us on the right path.

Here’s the bottom line: I love the fact that we have easy access to Youtube and Facebook and making and editing videos, etc. We can make a video that can influence literally millions. I commend Jason Russell for his video and his Herculean efforts. But just as easily as Jason did something good, many can do harm. Like Bob Dylan said, “Everybody’s gotta serve somebody.” We’ve got the power within our grasp. Who are you going to serve?

Apr4

Movies: One Liner contest and your top 5

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Movies: One Liner contest and your top 5

Movies. For most of us, they play a significant role in our lives. But what makes a movie quotable? Or a favorite?

CONTEST! I’m holding a contest to see who can correctly identify the most movie one liners and the person who said it, based on the 15 I have quoted in this vlog! Deadline is this Friday at midnight!

Top 5 Movie List: As a writer, I’m very interested in what makes movies memorable and lasting. I’d love to hear your Top Five Movie list, and why they are your favorite. Here’s mine:
Tie for 5th place: Right Stuff (because it’s heroic and based on true events) and Nell (great characters and plot)
4th place: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (the wonderfully crafted characters make me howl with laughter!)
3rd place: Singing in the Rain (my favorite of all musicals. I love Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.)
2nd place: Shindler’s List (so inspirational and poignant)
1st place: Les Mes (aside from the Bible, it’s my favorite example of grace and God’s redemption.)
And the movie that stands alone: The Passion of the Christ. (Good timing! Invite friends and watch it again this Easter weekend!)

Can’t wait to hear what your favorites are! And don’t forget the contest! Name those one liners (movie and character who spoke it) Even if you don’t know them all, the person who guesses the most will win. So give it a try! :)

Mar28

Aunt Jean’s Flying Academy

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Aunt Jean’s Flying Academy

Have you ever felt like a baby bird, perched on a tiny limb, not-so-ready to take that first leap off the branch, and hope your wings will work? How often have we let fear rule in our decision making? (“Are you serious? You want me to JUMP?”)

Take a gander at this week’s vlog and find out how taking “Flying in the Face of Fear” lessons at Aunt Jean’s Flying Academy helped.  Then leave a comment and tell us what you have been fearful of in the past, and how you moved past it, or what you are fearful of now.   I’m posting below some great quotes and verses to help us “be willing, expectant and brave!”  :)

 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:3-5

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means, at the point of highest reality.  A chastity or honesty or mercy which yields to danger will be chaste or honest or merciful only on conditions.  Pilate was merciful till it became risky.”  CS Lewis

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15

“God’s way will not lack God’s supply.”  Hudson Taylor