A Walk to Emmaus

13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19"What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. I too have been on an Emmaus walk...not like this one....but a walk just the same....a walk where I met Jesus....face to face.  An Emmaus Walk, the ultimate spiritual retreat....and tonight I attended another Emmaus event for my BFF, Mary.  She left on Weds. afternoon to begin her own walk.  I did not sponsor her...another friend of ours, Cindy did.  The weeks leading up to her walk have been so exciting for both of us....hers was anticipation and mine was expectation....what fun to be able to share this with Mary.  You see in 2000, My friend Lenora Hannum told me she wanted to sponsor me on an Emmaus Walk….I politely took the first of many applications. I promptly lost it. I am glad Lenora did not give up….8 applications later….with the last one being totally filled out….only needing my signature and a check….I applied for what would be the greatest spiritual experience of my life. I was told…it would be a year or longer…because there were so many…..but it wasn’t…it was just a matter of a few months.  Now I have to tell you....when the time came....I did NOT want to go.  I was dealing with a lot of emotional pain in my life from a failed marriage and was not up to a feel-good retreat.  I was enjoying my pity party quite nicely all by myself....when Lenora took me, took away my watch, AND cell phone....I kept trying to figure out a way to get back in the car before she left.  They are tricky like that....it is the separate and conquer method....and it worked nicely.....when she came to get me on Sunday....I did not want to leave Camp Sumatonga.  My walk was approximately eight years ago, Mother's Day weekend, May of 2002. It was a life-altering experience and it felt like a new beginning had begun for me. There were two things on that weekend that had a monumental impact on me. The first was when I was able to give Jesus a burden that had affected me most of my life…I was able to leave it at His feet and the relief that I felt was like nothing I had ever felt before. An enormous weight had been lifted from me. The second was when I experienced God's love through His people to a degree that I didn't know was possible. It is completely amazing what the Holy Spirit can do with people who have their hearts in line with His. This love I experienced wasn't a light, airy, abstract, somewhere in space type of love either. It was concrete. It was full. It was real. It was love that I could get my arms around and truly feel throughout my entire soul. It was exactly what I needed. Because of that experience, I am able to see God more easily; see God more clearly. I see Him in nature, I see Him in other people, and I can even see Him in myself. There have been many things throughout my life that have caused me to hold onto my feelings and shelter myself from others, including God. The Walk to Emmaus, as well as being married to an extremely outgoing, expressive, loving man, and have a group of Bible Study buddies, who with the help of Beth Moore’s study, “Breaking Free” have helped me open up to God (and other people) more than I ever have before; and because I am more able to open up, I have found myself also able to become closer to God and others as well. Besides the experience itself, the Walk to Emmaus gave me two other things. The first is a group of people I can share my experience with and work with to make sure others experience what I experienced. My friends in the Central Alabama Emmaus cluster have been priceless to me. The other thing that I have since I went on my Walk, is the awesome family of Emmaus people all over the world. I remember before my walk being with a friend who had attended an Emmaus Walk before me and she met another Emmaus person….they hugged and said DeColores to each other….and the spirituality that glowed through them left me feeling left out. I wanted this feeling. Once I had been on my walk I realized that "You will never have to go through anything alone again." Never before have I even seen, let alone been a part of, a family like this. I know that I can be fully honest and authentic with you. Within this community is a place where I don't need to be afraid to share what I am really feeling inside of me. I truly believe that no matter what happens in my life I can turn to the Emmaus Community for support. Let me tell you…that is an awesome feeling.
In short, my Walk meant a real connection with my Lord Jesus and with those who make up the body of Christ. As for what I am doing now, let me share with you the words I said at the end of my original Walk. "I am just going to do whatever God wants me to and share His love as much as I can." I didn't really know what that meant at the time, but now that it has been a few of years, I have a little better idea of why God led me to say those words. After my Walk, I wanted to get as many people as I could to share the same experience; to see what God has for them; to see how much they are loved. I was blessed to be able to sponsor my dear friend Rita, on her Walk my daughter, Kat on hers, and co-sponsor my husband with Lenora's husband Guy. It was so awesome to be able to share that experience with the three of them fully. I have to confess that I am glad I had a head start on them. God has given me the opportunity to serve him through music, speaking, and writing.   I know that God uses me to touch lives and if I have not learned anything during my days following my walk….I have learned that. Each person has experiences and a testimony that someone else will have a unique connection with. God has a reason for each team member and each pilgrim to be on a particular Walk. If you have not been on a walk yet, I encourage you to ask God if he wants you to be on one. If you have any feeling that maybe that is what he wants you to do, then google Emmaus and you will find one whereever you are.  Go...I promise.... You won't regret it.
You know, I really enjoy speaking about God and what he has done for me in front. Generally speaking, I really am a lot more comfortable talking to people one on one or in smaller groups…but I have learned that God is in control and I can do all things through Him…and I do. It is definitely a God-thing. Perhaps that is why he has led me in the direction I am now going. In June three years ago,  my husband accepted His calling and became the pastor of Waverly United Methodist Church and I became Mrs. Preacher…and in March a year later, I completed the Certified part of Lay Speaking…can you believe it….I can not only fill a pulpit…but do on a regular basis....and love it!  In June we will be moving to Rock Mills, AL and Rock Mills United Methodist Church....I am excited about the new ministry.  I will have a parsonage!  I can’t believe that all this has happened….but I am living proof of two things….God doesn’t make junk….and He can truly make a silk purse out of a sows ear.  My life plans are to share God's love and to try to do what he wants me to do. I want to leave you with this question….What are you doing for God today?

Good/Bad Mom Moments

In honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, I decided to make a list of the good and bad Mom moments that I’ve experienced. Happy Mother's Day!


Good Mom Moment: Reading to the kids every night even though Dr. Seuss makes my head hurt.

Bad Mom Moment: Reading books about poop. Our favorite is Everyone Poops.


Good Mom Moment: Not being in denial and getting Tommy help as soon as I realized he was behind in his development.

Bad Mom Moment: Allowing the kids to occasionally watch Family Guy.


Good Mom Moment: Buying vegetables and serving them as a snack to the kids.

Bad Mom Moment: Buying chocolate and serving them as a snack to the kids.


Good Mom Moment: Running to Natalie’s room when I hear her cry in the dead of night.

Bad Mom Moment: Not allowing her to sleep in bed with me.


Good Mom Moment: Using the b-word in front of the kids.

Bad Mom Moment: Telling the kids that I didn’t REALLY say a bad word because bitch means female dog. Now my son will occasionally go, “Look, it’s a dog. Do you think it’s a bitch?” And Natalie sometimes points at a dog and goes, “A bitch?” Ugh. Parenting FAIL!


Good Mom Moment: Insisting that Santa exists even when Tommy is starting to not believe.

Bad Mom Moment: Insisting that Santa exists even when Tommy is starting to not believe and saying things like, “You better be good. Santa watches all year and if you’re mean to me, no presents.”


Good Mom Moment: Not allowing the kids to socialize with the children of those “perfect” mothers anymore because let’s face it, the kids are usually pretty scary too.

Bad Mom Moment: Allowing Tommy to play with one of those kids from “perfect” mothers ONCE and being slightly traumatized when the mother said coldly, “Oh, Barnaby*** doesn’t eat non-organic items and he most definitely is never given juice.” (Followed by a condescending sniff.) Slipped Barnaby non-organic item anyway and watched with glee as he gobbled it down.




***not real name, his name was actually pretty normal but just in case crazy Mom ever stumbles on my blog and tries to lecture us about eating organically again.

Happy Birthday, Tom!

“So for your birthday, what special thing do you want me to make?” I asked my husband Tom.

“Um,” Tom began. He scratched his arm. I can almost bet he was thinking, “Now how can I put this delicately...” Actually, in Man Mind he was probably thinking, “How can I say this so I can still get laid tonight?”

“Spaghetti? Lasagna. I can also make chicken really well,” I continued.

Tom still looked uncomfortable. “The thing is...maybe we could go out for my birthday?”

Which is his polite way of saying, “Your food tastes like feet, please don’t make me eat it on my special day.”

And okay, not EVERYTHING I make is bad. But I could understand why he wanted to go out. Plus, it meant I didn’t have to clean up afterwards. So it was a win win situation.

“Okay,” I agreed and Tom visibly relaxed.

“We can go to Chilis,” Tom said, licking his lips. He loves Chilis. He’d live in Chilis if it were legal. He’s obsessed with their queso. (I am not. I think their queso tastes like BURNT gross cheese.)

Do you want to know what I bought Tom for his birthday?

An iPod Touch.

Was I able to keep it a secret from Tom until his birthday?

No.

But that’s Tom’s fault.

Last month he informed me that his iPod broke.

“So I’m buying a new one.” He wouldn’t meet my eye. He was acting as though he were one of those men who can announce something and have their wives be all, “Oh, anything you want, Head of the Household!” First of all....head of the household, my foot. Whenever I hear a man being called that, I laugh. I can’t help it. Then I want to add, “How very 1954 of you.”

“You most certainly are not buying a new iPod,” I told Tom. It wasn’t because of the price. It was because I had already decided that I was getting him an iPod Touch and wanted it to be a SURPRISE.

“Yes, I am.” Tom tried to say this firmly but his voice faltered.

“You aren’t,” I replied sweetly. “No. Sorry.” Then I switched on the vacuum. I imagine Tom was seething on the couch. I wouldn’t know for sure. But then he suddenly unplugged the vacuum and was all, “Now see here, woman…” No, I’m kidding, he didn’t say that. But he might as well have. Because he said, “Look, I work hard from my money and I deserve an iPod. So I’m getting one.”

“Fine, you buy an iPod and see what happens,” I said meanly. I gave him my Scary Wife Look and he shrunk back.

“I will,” Tom said. He lifted his neck, trying to act as though he were this big and strong man who could do as he pleased—but he looked terribly uneasy, as though he were at a fancy party and was trying desperately to hold in a fart.

“You just see what happens,” I repeated. I must’ve looked suspicious because Tom pointed and was all, “Hey. You’re hiding something.” I should mention that I am a terrible liar.

“I’m hiding nothing,” I insisted, but by then I was smiling, which is something I do when I’ve been caught in a lie.

Tom’s face lit up. “Wait a minute…did you get me an iPod?”

I pretended to be really interested in the vacuum. “Of course not.”

“Yes, you did! I can tell!”

“What’s that on the ceiling?”

“Stop trying to distract me. You got me an iPod! Can I have it now?”

I scowled. “No, you can’t have it now.”

Tom’s eyes got all big. “Aha! I knew it! Just give it to me now!”

But I held off. Until next week, and then I finally gave in because he wouldn’t SHUT UP about the iPod. Something about not being able to work out because he HAD to have music and did I know what it was like to work out without music (no, because I don’t work out). I felt bad so I handed the iPod Touch over.

So on his actual birthday, today, all he got was a card:





Funny, of course. We rarely do the sweet sappy ones.

And he got Avatar.

Plus I got him an amusing cake at Wal-Mart, which I have to pick up later. No, I didn’t make him one. I mean, I suppose I could have but he requested a store bought cake. I’ll post a photo of the cake in a future entry.

Happy Twenty-Eighth Birthday, Tom. Enjoy your iPod Touch. Now I want one.

In other news, the kind people of Beach Bags sent me this bag to review. Their website has so many bags to choose from.

(I'm also a fan of this one: )

I love the bag that I got and am impressed. It’s well made and I definately plan to use it when I go to the beach this summer. I love how it has my name stitched on it, too. That way if someone on the beach tries to steal my stuff (hmph!) I can be all, "Erm, that's MY bag because you see, that's MY name on it." (Unless their name happens to be Amber too, which would suck..)





(And bonus, the bag is environmentally friendly!)



I am able to hold tons of stuff in it, which is a plus because my kids sometimes want to bring all their toys down to the beach. Plus I can stuff a large t-shirt in it for me just in case all the women on the beach are size 0s with flat tummies. I can also bring my Little Debbie snacks which basically is the reason why I’m not a size 0 with a flat tummy.

Oh well.

Hoarders!

Have you ever watched the show on television called Hoarders?  If you have then you have seen my mom.  If you have not....you should...and vow never to become that person.  After I watched it I wanted to give away every THING I owned.  I looked up the definition of hoarding and this is what I found.  Hoard (hôrd, hrd) n. A hidden fund or supply stored for future use; a cache. v. hoard·ed, hoard·ing, hoards v.intr.To gather or accumulate a hoard.v.tr.1. To accumulate a hoard of. 2. To keep hidden or private.  I have debated on this post since I first entered what was my parent's house to begin the cleaning process.  When Frank and I walked into the house I was physically ill.  The picture you see to the left is was the dining room.  There is no table in it.  It was filled with junk.  Bags upon bags of old clothes that people had given my mother to donate to the crisis center in Coosa Co.  Why did they give them to her?  I think they did not want to have to make the effort of driving to the county seat in Rockford and donating them themselves...so they asked my mom to do it for them...and she never could say no to a sob story. 

My mom's clothes were hanging on the shower stall in the bathroom and on the doors leading in and out of the bathroom.  You could not see or use the shower because there was so much stuff in and around the stall itself.  I had to move several bags just to walk through.  Now...let me explain....for the last almost five years my parents have lived with Frank and I....and I see why.  I would live with us too.  Number one you can find stuff and number two you can walk without tripping over junk.  I remember once...before they moved in with us...going to see my mom and dad....they only let a few people actually enter the house....and my mom was asleep (she worked the third shift at Wal-Mart until she was 79)...my dad...was eating his lunch...and playing cards on an ironing board.  Do you know how much that hurt me.  There were six dining room tables sets in this house...buried under a mountain of trash...and he ate and played solitaire...on the ironing board!  I wanted to take him home with me right then....but his pride would have kept that from happening.  When he got sick and I had to MAKE them come home with me....he seemed relieved.  I guess so.  He could move about without the fear of falling....watch television as loud as he wanted to....and eat and play cards on a real live table.  He must have thought he'd died and gone to heaven.  My mom continued to collect stuff....and take it to the house.  A year before my dad died a tree limb fell on the roof of their wash room and did some damage.  I did not know this...because I was never allowed to go in the house once they moved in with us.  She supposedly went up everyday and worked...getting the house ready for them to move back in.  The limb damaged the roof...which caused leakage...which caused mold...and soft floors now.  My dad suffered from COPD...he would NEVER be allowed to live in that house....and survive.  My mom would threaten to move home from time to time...and I would quietly tell her....not until the roof was fixed.  This house, honestly should have been condemned.  I was ashamed...when the people who came to work with us...showed up.  I was mortified by what my parents lived in.  I have seen the results of hurricanes and earthquakes first hand....this ranked right up there.  Honestly!  I told my daughter...if she ever sees me heading this way....stop me!  This picture is of their bedroom...and we had moved some stuff around so that you  could actually move in the room.  I don't know where they planned to sleep.  I am an only child.  I am still not even partially ready to have an estate sale...there is still tons of stuff to be moved around.  Hoarding is a bad habit.  Dealing with it has caused me to rethink how important STUFF really is.  I don't want anything that takes over like that.  I have enough bad habits without this one.  Griefus!  I have to admit....blogging about this has made me feel a lot better.  I want to become an advocate against hoarding.  I am one of those...a place for everything kind of people....so you can imagine what this did to my psyche....it sent me into orbit.  Whew...well I have gotten this one out of my system....so Happy Thursday to you all!  Keep your fingers crossed that I survive this venture.  It has been a real character builder for me.  Ciao for now.

18th-Century Paste Jewelry -- All That Glitters

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I have just posted on 18th-century paste jewelry on my blog It's About Time. Please come take a look.




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The Strange Outfit

“I want to do it! I want to do it!”

I hear this from Natalie on a daily basis. (And her father, but that's a whole 'nother story...)

She wants to dress herself.

She wants to brush her own hair.

She wants to pour her own cereal.

Oh, but will she pee in the potty? No. No, she won’t. Will she tell me when she’s peed or taken a crap in her diaper? Yes. Yes, she will.

The other day we were getting ready to go out. I had Natalie’s outfit and she immediately took it from me and threw it.

“I not wear this,” she said. She stuck her hands on her hips.

Look, I’m glad she wants to be independent. But sometimes I just want to go. I don’t want to argue.

“Please just get dressed,” I told Natalie firmly.

She grabbed her clothes and ran off into another room. I assumed she was pulling on her clothes.

But then she came out like this:





“Um. Are you a Chippendale Dancer today?” I asked.

She laughed. “I pretty!”

“Well. Maybe in Las Vegas. But darling. You can’t go out in that.”

“Yes, I can!”

Oh geez. After going back and forth for ten minutes, Natalie finally relented and changed into something decent.

She did keep the hat though.

How Random Can it Get?

It is that time again.  The questions Linda posed were a wee bit hard for me to be witty with.  These were the kind of questions that require honesty....so here they are.  If you want to read her answers and I know you will....head on over to 2nd Cup of Coffee....after you read mine....of course. 
1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated? Procrastination is my middle name.  I am the QUEEN of it.  When I was in college I have belted out many an "A" paper the night before....but I am older and wiser now.....NOT....I still tend to wait....or maybe I should say it takes longer to get my motor running.  But....to answer the question....it would have to have been looking over the Draft for the SACS (Southern Accredidation of Colleges and Schools) review last week. I had it for three days and waited until the day of the interview to look it over. I am such a schmuck. I could have answered all the questions without having read the bazillion page report.

2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night? It depends. If I am tired and nothing is weighing heavy on my mind…then I am out before my head hits the pillow and I sleep all night. If I am preoccupied, as I am a lot these days with my mom, then sometimes I will see ever hour on the hour….and not sleep through the night. Those nights will find me sitting at the computer playing mindless games so at least one of us will get a good nights sleep.
3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles? I am a child of the 60’s. I love the peasant look...not the bell bottoms so much....not the hot pants or hooker boots....just the peasant look....the one that is in style again now.  I also love the styles of the 50’s. There is something clean and fresh about June Cleaver.
4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd? Shepherd’s Pie, my special baked beans, and mac and cheese are the ones I am always asked to bring.
5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse? I am NOT an impulse shopper….I am an impulse carry it around in the buggier….but usually end up putting it back….only to say later…I wish I had bought that.
6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral? There is not just one wish.  THIS is what I want....period.  I want Richard Forehand and Rexton Lee(two former students) to sing Dust in theWind at my funeral….as they scatter my ashes from the boat deck at Mallory Square in the Keys…at sunset of course.
7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today? I have great joy. I am learning to simplify this year…and that is making me very happy.
8. What is your favorite type of bread?...Pumpernickle and Jewish Rye….the marbled kind.
9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.) Hoarding….with the death of my father and placement of my mom into a nursing home I have been sickened at the hoarding my traits of my mother. When we went to begin cleaning out their house….I cried for two days. Listen people…if you have ever watched the show “Hoarders”….they do exist…and it is not a pretty site.  if you have never watched it....watch a few minutes....it will scare you to death.
10. What trait would you like most to develop? The ability to live light….and not let “things” clutter my life.
11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why? Right now there isn’t one. I am in the process of packing up for the big preacher to a new church move….so there is not a room in my house with a painting on the wall, dishes in cabinets, without boxes stacked away in a corner. I would have to say before packing…my dining room. I love to do tablescapes and I keep it ever-changing…yep…that would be me…ever-changing....and eclectic.
12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging? I wonder that same thing myself.  I am very busy....I work, I am a preachers wife, I attend two services on Sunday....I bowl two nights a week, I have band practice one night a week, I attend bible study....and somewhere in there...I am a wife and teacher who has to get lesson plans done.  I don't waste time I can assure you.  I don't have time to.  I do prioritize and get the important things done in order of importance.…then enjoy the blogging time.  I am also looking forward to the move....in Rock Mills...some of my busyness will be gone....replaced of course with new busyness....but closer to home...and with Frank.  Hope you enjoyed my offerings for today....stop back in anytime....set a spell...take your shoes off.....Have a Happy Wednesday!