So it is becoming a trend. I am waiting longer and longer to update my blog. In the back of my head I am waiting for some sort of conclusion or perhaps even resolutions to the thoughts in my head.
In response to my last blog... updates... We got the duplex we wanted. It all worked out pretty well and some pretty swell people I know are going to come help me move into it. It shouldn't be too hard all my furniture pretty much got ruined in the last move so there are camping chairs in our living room. But still I am very happy to have it.
My progress on the worrying...well I have tried to focus on not allowing stress to take a hold in my life. I have been praying and meditating on it. It is a little easier now that school has started... I don't have time to worry and overthink things right now. Though the stresses are still around. And appeared to have unpacked their bags.
Above, you will see a picture of my brother Vincent and my nephew Tristan, trying on Halloween costumes, I call him Ralphie, for reasons one could probably figure out. I got to see him last weekend. Along with My sister in-law, my brother Victor and his wife, my brother Steven, and then my sister and her 2 sons as well. We all went to lunch at Billy McHales, which used to be one of my favorite places to eat in Bellingham. Neither of my parents bothered to show. Even so,this was the most people in my family we have had in one room in a while. It was a strange lunch, that left me feeling a little sad and also just very grateful that I love Jesus and have a church family here. I always feel so very out of place with my family. I have never thought like them. I don't find the same things funny. And I don't entirely enjoy this. And Sunday's lunch was no different. I found myself rushing through the meal and making excuses to have to leave.
I was in Bellingham attending a wedding, or rather being a bridesmaid in a wedding(See a picture of the bride and groom above, you can see their faces below). This was my third time as a bridesmaid, so as the saying goes never a bride. But Andrea (the bride) and I rationalized that since I got to pick out my own dress and it was neither satin nor periwinkle (rather a polka dotted sun dress) and since there was no bridesmaid procession down the aisle (I did light candles though) this did not count as the third. Besides in my attempt to not have to be social with those I don't know,I became so much more than a bridesmaid... I catered... I drove.... I took pictures.... I decorated hotel rooms.... I helped set up for the party....I did pretty much anything to avoid conversation. And though, anyone who knows me knows that is perfectly normal for me, this wedding gave me extra motivation.
Everyone in attendance was perfectly nice... but this wedding was jam packed.... spa visits, rehearsal dinner, cooking, drinks at boundry bay (Bellingham's silver City), the wedding, the reception (complete with kite flying and boomerang throwing...she married an Aussie), the BBQ at her parents until 2am... Then brunch there the next day. This was a lot of conversation. And every person there asked the same question.... "So what do you do? "
Not normally a difficult question to answer but all these people were successful. There were many in politics, there was an architect, interior designer, surgeon, doctor, some one in television... and the list goes on. So as the weekend went on I found myself trying to make my job sound more important (I know pathetic) I would say.... "I run an elementary before and after school program, funded through a non profit organization geared towards low income families." Which is not entirely untruthful. Pretty proud of this answer I thought I was secure until they started asking questions like, "What do you thing of the Article in the times where so and so took the stance against before and after school programs? Do you disagree" ... to this I thought..."man I should read the news paper"I even met a girl who did her entire thesis on the functionality of before and after school programs and their downfalls. And all I could think is , yeah but can she make a lady bug magnet out of tempra paint, string, pipecleaners, a clothes pin, and googily eyes? Yeah that's what I thought.
Ok, this is enough discussion on the wedding. It was actually very beautiful and fun and I am so happy for my beautiful friend and her wonderful new husband.
So this blog has gone on a while and I am trying to decide if I should share the rest of my goings ons at another time. This is what happens when you don't blog for a long time. But if you can bear with me I think I will continue. Joshua Horky will surely have comments about the length calling it a sermon or something (though, so far, t's not too scripturally based.) (so hey Joshua there is the shout out I promised... and now the plug...please do visit Joshua's blog at http://kd7djs.blogspot.com/. There currently is some fasinating computer installation blog stuff there. )Anywhoo continuing on..........
Which first Physical health or spiritual health? I think Physical might be an easier start. I had my appointment with the doctor see below for proof:
A little quick background on this picture. There were more. I was put under for this procedure and apparantly very entertaining upon waking up. Also apparently very concerned with my blog. I asked for Bridget to take pictures for my blog.... see how much I care about you. Anyway, this is the only one you actually get to see. The procedure was fine. I don't know that I would want to do it often. The results came back yesterday. The good news is that it is not cancer or Crohn's disease, but it is a similar disease called ulcerative colitis. I don't know a lot about it yet but basically it is similar to Crohn's only it doesn't spread all over your body it generally stays in the colon and intestines. So this is better news than expected. I also have something called Diverticulosis which left ignored can become diverticulitus.... you now know as much as I do. So...yeah... moving on.
I show you this Seaside "flier", if you will, not because Eric Schuette will be installed as an elder (although woohoo for Eric) , and not because it is a good opportunity for free food, but because I am getting Baptized on Sunday. Feel free to come... maybe bring a side dish. This has been a long time coming for me. I have been a Christian for 15 years now. Why has it taken me so long? Excellent, and yet nosey, question. I was baptized when I was 8 as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I left that church at 13 and found Jesus at 14. The presbyterian church I went to all through high school... well it made a big deal out of missions and evangelism, but never baptism. As a matter of fact it never really crossed my mind until about 3 years ago, when seaside did the first ones. The first year I rationalized not doing it because it would upset my mother (which is true she wont be thrilled) , I did mention it to some family and the response was "why?" but not in that I really care please share with me all the stories of our Lord and Savior, sort of way. Anyway last year Pastor Chris suggested I do it and I said sure just not in a lake in this setting. But of course I never followed through. So this year it has to be done. Don't get me wrong, I am not ashamed. I can proclaim Jesus from the rooftops.... I just fear doing it in freezing cold water, where people are only looking at me... and are inevitably going to want me to .. I don't know... proclaim out loud... then not only that but I then have to trust 2 men to dunk me in the water... That is freezing cold...while people are staring.... not my cup of tea,( hmmm tea.. now that is warm...except ice tea...but I digress). The last time someone dunked me under the water my brother thought it would be funny not to let me up. It wasn't.
Anyway I am doing it.... because this is what the Lord asks of me. And I will do it with joy (and nerves). I guess this is all I should write. If any of you are still reading this....wow... way to go. Have a great night.
