I've Been Tagged

I was recently "tagged" twice (by her and her) and am supposed to share 7 unusual things about myself and then tag 7 others to do the same. Since I only know 7 other bloggers and they've already been tagged, I suppose this is a dead end. I will, however, share my 7 oddities (though I'm sure I'm quite more odd than that) for your enlightenment:

1. I hate Braveheart (too sad) and Titanic (too predictable).
2. I got my B.A. and my M.R.S. on the same day.
3. I love my mother-in-law.
4. I've been parasailing (with my mother! I have an awesome Mom)
5. I like beer.
6. I have two children in heaven.
7. I had a male bridesmaid (bridesguy?) in my wedding party.

Hmmm, maybe I'm not so interesting afterall. Thanks to all who love plain old me!

Benefit Concert for Evelyn Noland

You're invited to a benefit concert being held for Evelyn Noland at 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill on Wed, Jan 23 at 6:00pm. Admission is $10 and all the money will help the Noland's pay for Evelyn's substantial medical bills.

The concert begins at 6:00pm and features Chuck Allen Floyd, Lefty Ricketts, Rick Blair, Greg Jones, Rick Huckaby. If you choose to stay later, the Wooten Brothers will perform at 9:30pm (I don't think they're part of the benefit itself).

Evelyn is a neighbor of ours who was in a very bad motorcycle accident back in early Nov. She was critically injured and spent many weeks in Vanderbilt's ICU and rehab hospital. She's home now and doing much better (it's a miracle, really) but large medical bills are still outstanding. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for Evelyn's recovery. This is another practical way to show God's love to their family.

Where's My Hope?

Last night in our small group, we talked about hope - not the "I wish" kind of hope, but the "confidence" kind. The source we referenced was GTO Seeds For Growth, #53 titled, "A Study of B-O-B Hope, A Look at the Basis, the Operation and the Benefits of Hope." by Harold and Bette Gillogly. Honestly, I'd never really given much thought to hope or what it really was, and our discussion presented me with lots of new Scriptures to mull on.

The most convicting idea was presented at the end and I'll just quote it here:

WHENEVER you are disappointed and frustrated, that's a red flag that should make you ask yourself: Where's my hope? Be honest - have you been setting your hope on something you wanted Him to do, or in God Himself? You won't be disappointed if your hope is in God alone! That's His promise!* So when you're feeling disappointed - or you see your brother or sister disappointed and frustrated - the question to be asked is "where's your hope?"

*"Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:23

Ouch. That pretty much pegs all my disappointments. My hope was misplaced and therefore fell flat every time. I thought I was hoping in God, but disappointment always came when my prayers weren't answered the way I thought they would. My hope was in the way I hoped God would answer and not in Him. I definitely have lots of practice to do in living out my hope.

Be Gone, Clutter

I started on a rampage yesterday, and clutter, beware. I am out to get you. I am sick (yes, and tired) of feeling embarrassed for people t0 come into my house. As the FlyLady says, I've been living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). Don't get the wrong idea - I don't have towers of old newspapers or dishes growing funk in the sink. What I do have are piles of "stuff" tucked here and there throughout the house. It's not an issue of having enough room in my house but rather having too much. For example, I cleaned out the kitchen cupboards today - do I really need 10 wooden spoons or 5 boxes of brownie mix? What about an ice cream maker that has NEVER been used in 10 years?


I made a small dent in the stuff mountain today and there remains much to be done, but I'm encouraged. I will never have a BH&G house (get real) but there's hope that one day soon, drop-in guests will be welcomed and not feared. Loving people as God wants me to involves basic hospitality - not as defined by snarky Martha - but happily welcoming people into my home. So watch out, clutter! I'm going to be brutal.

Bah Humbug

OK, I admit it, I'm a bit of a Scrooge. Not with regards to Christmas mind you, but for any occasion that encourages my neighbors to buy fireworks. I understand that setting off fireworks must occur after the sun goes down, but I get a little grumpy about it after my bedtime. I get VERY grumpy when they ping off my bedroom window. Plus, I generally frown upon activities with unsupervised juveniles lighting explosives in densely populated areas. Silly me.