Events-snapshot-conversations
Mom - spoke with
my mom this past week and told her I was finally learning how to iron a shirt
properly with starch. I could hear her smile as she reminded me that she used to
take in ironing for friends and an aunt. While we talked, it stirred up memories
of her standing over the ironing board for hours on end while her favorite soaps
played in the background. I could almost smell how the steam from the iron
heated the clean clothes, mix with the smell of laundry detergent and occasional sprays of starch. What I've become aware of was her patience. I recall
that my mom was not especially patient, putting up with my sisters and me, but she sincerely enjoyed the process of ironing--splashing water on the clothes,
rolling them neatly, and stacking them up. Ironing each item, along with the
difficult pleated skirts, she was happy, purposeful. It's really cool to think of
that as I starch and iron, watching “7th Heaven” in the
afternoons.
Evan – there was
some heavy conversation because we shared prayer concerns for a family Sierra
went to school with since elementary– a young man died unexpectedly from a heart
issue while riding a recreational vehicle. And Si’s friend’s brother had emergency
surgery for a rare condition. The week before was the meteor that hit Russia injuring over
900 people. Evan informed me that a customer’s husband died last weekend. We
will miss Bud. God's blessings upon the departed, their families, and those who are mending. Also, Evan surprised me and bought a plane ticket and will arrive March 25th - midnight the 26th!
Jamie - we talk most every day and I am happy to hear her voice. Her job involves dealing with people who are not at their best and it gets very stressful. Matt's been traveling for work.
Jamie and Daisy doing the Harlem Shake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct0Jj5HWYd4&feature=youtu.be
Sierra – she is coming
to visit in two weeks during her spring break! Cannot wait to see her! The past month and a half she's applied for jobs on campus, has had interviews, and will be a tour guide this semester and an RA for the fall. She's got another interview and a mid term tomorrow and sending lots of positive energy to her.
Danelle - my sister called on her way back from taking my nephew back to Toledo U. on President's Day. With Danny's hilarious wit, it's great entertainment to catch up with her!
Laurie K. – we
had a wonderful conversation about the journeys we are on. Laurie shared a book
she’s reading about prayer. One draws a circle, placing a person’s name in
the middle; intentionally praying until the prayer is answered. We often get distracted with life and other prayer concerns. This way it does not
get forgotten.
I shared with Laurie the “humility” sermon the pastor in San Jose gave
and how I’ve been reflecting on it. When I left home on Jan. 1st, I
was still getting on the path to feeling better from high blood pressure. I didn’t have energy for conflict, judgment, or involvement. Hearing the sermon I am grateful
to remember how God calls us in humility to serve--John 13:15-17. It
is “in the doing” that there is blessing. (Not in the result, not in judgments, do we measure ourselves.)
Terri - received
a lovely text from my dear friend.
Megan - my beloved desk buddy (DB from training) texted and was terrific to hear from her!
Bedtime with
Liam – I got to put Liam to bed this week.
Bedtime routine begins with playing soothing lullabies,
dimmed lighting, bath, bottle, burping/rocking, swaddling, reading “Goodnight
Moon”, “The Napping House”, watching him slowly close his eyes and drift to
sleep. Precious wee one.
Also, Liam currently has two nicknames: buddy and gerg. Gerg is a word he says. He began eating cereal this week. SO FUN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOYM5soAihc
Charlie - my sister called and left a sweet voice message.
I got a text from Bill T. with picture of my friend Bradon reading to the animals. So good to hear from them!
Sunday, February 17, after church we went to the Farmer’s Market in nearby Campbell. It was sunny and close to 60 degrees. Every vendor had samples and we munched on delicious strawberries, oranges, apples, pistachio butter; tried tasty spinach pita with a mint yogurt-cilantro pesto-jalapeno sauce. This was so yummy I bought some. Found out the vendor sells this to Whole Foods. Mike and Nikki are gracious hosts, tour guides and incredible parents.
