I read a book this weekend I didn't want to read. This book would never have made it into my home and never been opened if it had been up to me. It looked sad. It's a memoir, about a boy in a foreign land in horrible situations. Nothing about it appealed to me.
However . . . the book club I joined this summer had picked it out to discuss for our meeting tonight. It finally came in the mail Friday so I resolved to at least start reading it Saturday during the boring parts of football games.
Well, it was so good I couldn't put it down and I forgot to keep track of the games.
Kien Nguyen was eight years old when Saigon fell in 1975. His mother was Vietnamese. His father, an American soldier, left when Kien was three months old. Racism and Communism are terms I've heard all my life, but in reading this book, written in 2001, I learned them anew. So many memoirs are about times before I was born. How could this have been happening on this planet when I was in high school in Kingston, Tennessee?
Books like this, The Unwanted, are why I'm in book clubs. I will not of my own accord choose hard or unhappy things. And yet I say I want to grow and expand my horizons. Again I've learned something - against my will.
Thank goodness I don't always get my way.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pizza is as Pizza does
Such a delicious day! There are already sunbeams coming through the trees. The sky is a nice, hopeful peachy-blue and my coffee is fabulous. Falcons won last night, Tennessee didn't play so Saturday was relaxing, and I got to drive Lizzy back to Carrollton Friday and spend time talking with my daughter. My book for Tuesday's book club finally came in the mail on Friday and it is so good I almost finished it. (The Unwanted by Kien Nguyen) We got to share a meal with good friends and heard an unbelievably great sermon by a lay person on Sunday. Then last night we did something very familiar, but completely new - we helped serve youth dinner at our new church.
Since Robert hit sixth grade we've prepared many, many meals for the church youth group. And the pizza I've ordered - wow! I even had the nearest Pizza Hut and Domino's on my speed dial. One friend who left youth ministry to become a senior minister said he planned to never eat cheap pizza again.
Last night we didn't know the kids, but some of the adults were familiar as the volunteers were all from our Sunday School class. Still, it had that deja vu' feeling and isn't that cool? To think of all the kids and adults doing the same thing on Sunday nights across the country. To walk in and feel at home, because it's not about the building or the people. It's about belonging to a calling. Belonging to a calling of shepherding young people toward God. So cool.
Oh, and guess what the kitchen had cooked for us to serve - - - Pizza!
Since Robert hit sixth grade we've prepared many, many meals for the church youth group. And the pizza I've ordered - wow! I even had the nearest Pizza Hut and Domino's on my speed dial. One friend who left youth ministry to become a senior minister said he planned to never eat cheap pizza again.
Last night we didn't know the kids, but some of the adults were familiar as the volunteers were all from our Sunday School class. Still, it had that deja vu' feeling and isn't that cool? To think of all the kids and adults doing the same thing on Sunday nights across the country. To walk in and feel at home, because it's not about the building or the people. It's about belonging to a calling. Belonging to a calling of shepherding young people toward God. So cool.
Oh, and guess what the kitchen had cooked for us to serve - - - Pizza!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pruning is the Best!
A friend posted on her facebook status this morning my favorite Bible passage. It's from John 15.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
There's more that makes it my favorite, but this second verse is what I like best. Jesus is saying his branches (his followers) are pruned if they don't bear fruit. Since I'm one of his followers, I'm subject to pruning. I love that!
Most of you have probably figured out I'm not shy and retiring. I don't mind taking chances and I think life should be lived, really lived. Knowing that God will prune me says to me that I can move ahead confidently and boisterously because God will let me know when it's too much. He'll let me know when I need to slow down or be cautious or change direction. It's not a guessing game.
It's the freedom of a toddler in a backyard. Free to run, fall down and get back up. Freedom granted because there is a fence behind all those flowers and bushes.
And yet, we've all seen what happens when that toddler (or teenager) finds their fence. There's the choice. Do I kick and yell at the fence? Grow resentful at everything being kept from me, which must obviously be SO much better than this lame yard? Do I allow the fence to diminish what was moments ago beautiful, exciting and fulfilling?
The promise to prune, is one wonderful way I know God is involved in what I do and where I go. Time to stop staring at the fence. Life is too short to not enjoy today!
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
There's more that makes it my favorite, but this second verse is what I like best. Jesus is saying his branches (his followers) are pruned if they don't bear fruit. Since I'm one of his followers, I'm subject to pruning. I love that!
Most of you have probably figured out I'm not shy and retiring. I don't mind taking chances and I think life should be lived, really lived. Knowing that God will prune me says to me that I can move ahead confidently and boisterously because God will let me know when it's too much. He'll let me know when I need to slow down or be cautious or change direction. It's not a guessing game.
It's the freedom of a toddler in a backyard. Free to run, fall down and get back up. Freedom granted because there is a fence behind all those flowers and bushes.
And yet, we've all seen what happens when that toddler (or teenager) finds their fence. There's the choice. Do I kick and yell at the fence? Grow resentful at everything being kept from me, which must obviously be SO much better than this lame yard? Do I allow the fence to diminish what was moments ago beautiful, exciting and fulfilling?
The promise to prune, is one wonderful way I know God is involved in what I do and where I go. Time to stop staring at the fence. Life is too short to not enjoy today!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wanted: One Magic Wand
Yesterday's blog ended with me equating God to the parent who sits next to their child when they don't make the team, don't get the part, or receive the college rejection letter. As a parent, we hate that pain, but know we wouldn't have stopped our child from dreaming, even if those dreams never happen.
But, since God can make our dreams come true, maybe he should only let us have dreams that he plans on fulfilling?
However, when I think of the dreams I've watched go unfulfilled, I have to believe God has a purpose in the dreaming.
A friend in Louisiana started a ministry, Sarah's Laughter, for those struggling with infertility and child loss. A vibrant, alive ministry built on broken dreams. http://www.Sarahs-Laughter.com And adopted children fulfill dreams in ways rarely anticipated.
We walked with a friend through the dissolution of her marriage for reasons she had no control over. That dream shattered into a million pieces around her, but her three children are blessings not even imagined when the original dream blossomed.
Alfred Lord Tennyson said, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." -
When I look around I see evidence that God's position is "'Tis better to have dreamed and lost than never to have dreamed at all."
But, since God can make our dreams come true, maybe he should only let us have dreams that he plans on fulfilling?
However, when I think of the dreams I've watched go unfulfilled, I have to believe God has a purpose in the dreaming.
A friend in Louisiana started a ministry, Sarah's Laughter, for those struggling with infertility and child loss. A vibrant, alive ministry built on broken dreams. http://www.Sarahs-Laughter.com And adopted children fulfill dreams in ways rarely anticipated.
We walked with a friend through the dissolution of her marriage for reasons she had no control over. That dream shattered into a million pieces around her, but her three children are blessings not even imagined when the original dream blossomed.
Alfred Lord Tennyson said, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." -
When I look around I see evidence that God's position is "'Tis better to have dreamed and lost than never to have dreamed at all."
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What Dreams May Come - or Go
Doing some Google searching this morning.
Of the 100,000 high school seniors playing football, 9000 will play in college and 215 will make it to the NFL. That's about 0.2% of the seniors playing this Friday night.
Of those playing high school hoops, less than 1% will play in the NBA.
And I couldn't find any statistics on coming from high school baseball to playing in the Major League. However, of those playing baseball in college, less than 1% are signed in the Major Leauges. And even of those making it to the Minor Leagues - only 10% of them make it to "The Show".
That's a lot of dreams left on the field of play.
Wonder how many musicians never get recording contracts, or how many actors or models get enough work to be considered successful?
Yesterday I had the thought, "what if I never publish a book? What if it just doesn't happen?"
I'm not in a negative, woe is me place like a couple weeks ago when I was singing the Hee Haw song (http://kayshostak.blogspot.com/2009/10/gloom-despair-and-agony-on-me-remember.html) Thank Goodness.
However, in endeavors we spend so much time saying, "When I get the scholarship. When I get drafted. When I get an agent. When I get the job. When I get discovered. When we get the bid. When When When - Never the dreaded word "IF." Never. In the world of keeping on-keeping on, saying "IF" shows lack of belief, faith, determination.
"You don't want it bad enough" is said by some, if giving up is considered. Really? Or are there times when dreams end? How many years in the minor leagues is enough? How many walk-ons do you attempt? When do you stop trying to get into "that" college, or "that" field, or "that" company and decide to lower your sights? When do you decide the investment of time and effort isn't making sense and find better ways to spend your time?
One of the hardest things as a parent is sitting with your child, for whom the sky's been the limit, on the day they don't make the team, don't get the part, or receive the college rejection letter.
I believe God is the giver of dreams. I believe when they end, he's right there to hold our hand and cry with us. Just like the good parent he is.
Of the 100,000 high school seniors playing football, 9000 will play in college and 215 will make it to the NFL. That's about 0.2% of the seniors playing this Friday night.
Of those playing high school hoops, less than 1% will play in the NBA.
And I couldn't find any statistics on coming from high school baseball to playing in the Major League. However, of those playing baseball in college, less than 1% are signed in the Major Leauges. And even of those making it to the Minor Leagues - only 10% of them make it to "The Show".
That's a lot of dreams left on the field of play.
Wonder how many musicians never get recording contracts, or how many actors or models get enough work to be considered successful?
Yesterday I had the thought, "what if I never publish a book? What if it just doesn't happen?"
I'm not in a negative, woe is me place like a couple weeks ago when I was singing the Hee Haw song (http://kayshostak.blogspot.com/2009/10/gloom-despair-and-agony-on-me-remember.html) Thank Goodness.
However, in endeavors we spend so much time saying, "When I get the scholarship. When I get drafted. When I get an agent. When I get the job. When I get discovered. When we get the bid. When When When - Never the dreaded word "IF." Never. In the world of keeping on-keeping on, saying "IF" shows lack of belief, faith, determination.
"You don't want it bad enough" is said by some, if giving up is considered. Really? Or are there times when dreams end? How many years in the minor leagues is enough? How many walk-ons do you attempt? When do you stop trying to get into "that" college, or "that" field, or "that" company and decide to lower your sights? When do you decide the investment of time and effort isn't making sense and find better ways to spend your time?
One of the hardest things as a parent is sitting with your child, for whom the sky's been the limit, on the day they don't make the team, don't get the part, or receive the college rejection letter.
I believe God is the giver of dreams. I believe when they end, he's right there to hold our hand and cry with us. Just like the good parent he is.
DVR = Life Changing?
We kept being told, "DVR will change your life." Folks always added, "I know when people told me that I thought they were exaggerating, but they weren't."
Still don't know I'd go that far, but I really, really like it. The ease with which you can tape makes it almost too enticing. Just push the red dot button.
Mike was in Orlando last night and I watched a lot of TV. I enjoyed every minute of it! I'm hooked on a new show (well, new for me), "Ghost Whisperer". It's several years old so it comes on a lot. So, if I want to watch one later I just push that little red button and it's waiting for me.
We've used DVR most to record the show, "The Office." We'd never watched it until this summer. Now we record it everytime one comes on and now we have something to watch whenever we want thirty minutes of TV. You know how you sit down with a snack, or you want to watch a little something before going to bed and there's nothing on?
When Mike and I went through pre-marital counseling with the priest who married us, he gave us several surveys. One was to determine our arguing styles, one laid out our individual financial patterns, and one was about our sense of humor. The priest said we both like lots of funny things. Not too discerning, apparently.
For a few years, I tried to maintain my distance from The Three Stooges, but one day when I heard all three kids and Mike belly laughing at Curly making pancakes (remember that one?), I decided to join the fun.
So I don't know that the DVR has changed our lives, but watching a half dozen "Offices" a week, is sure increasing the laughing at our house. I know that's a good thing.
Still don't know I'd go that far, but I really, really like it. The ease with which you can tape makes it almost too enticing. Just push the red dot button.
Mike was in Orlando last night and I watched a lot of TV. I enjoyed every minute of it! I'm hooked on a new show (well, new for me), "Ghost Whisperer". It's several years old so it comes on a lot. So, if I want to watch one later I just push that little red button and it's waiting for me.
We've used DVR most to record the show, "The Office." We'd never watched it until this summer. Now we record it everytime one comes on and now we have something to watch whenever we want thirty minutes of TV. You know how you sit down with a snack, or you want to watch a little something before going to bed and there's nothing on?
When Mike and I went through pre-marital counseling with the priest who married us, he gave us several surveys. One was to determine our arguing styles, one laid out our individual financial patterns, and one was about our sense of humor. The priest said we both like lots of funny things. Not too discerning, apparently.
For a few years, I tried to maintain my distance from The Three Stooges, but one day when I heard all three kids and Mike belly laughing at Curly making pancakes (remember that one?), I decided to join the fun.
So I don't know that the DVR has changed our lives, but watching a half dozen "Offices" a week, is sure increasing the laughing at our house. I know that's a good thing.
Monday, October 12, 2009
I Changed My Mind.
Writing to a young friend on facebook, I said one thing about growing older is that if you stay open you find yourself changing and evolving. So many opinions I firmly held, got dropped or changed when they were actually tried. Or when circumstances put my beliefs on the line.
Government and taxes became more than an exciting, inspirational campaign when I got that first good check - with all those minuses.
My views on abortion shifted the moment I felt my baby move.
Raising children got a jolt of reality when I got a few of them.
Girls and boys being raised the same way was a theory that lasted about as long as it took Lizzy to stomp her foot and tell me "You hurt my feelings." (The boys and I just stared at her and wondered where that came from.)
No - absolutely No - on the boy-girl sleepovers after prom was a standard I didn't even realize had slipped until we'd had several at our house. Somehow, having them under our supervision was so appealing we changed our opinion without even blinking an eye.
Unless you have the HOPE scholarship you can't live on campus, faded from our vocabulary and we didn't even try to rationalize it. We'd just changed our minds. By that time we didn't need to rationalize or make excuses - we just realized we often made decisions and decrees with what we knew at the time. New knowledge, New Opinions.
When is it being wishy-washy and when is it being flexible? And is this realization of growth and change happening, the truth behind wisdom coming with age? I know I'm way more careful about making pronouncements about things which I have not experienced yet.
On the other hand, there are things I've tried and tested over my 48 years which have stood strong. Love always wins, Faith leads to peace, It could always be worse, and Smiling makes you feel better. I'll stand on those - unless I change my mind!
Government and taxes became more than an exciting, inspirational campaign when I got that first good check - with all those minuses.
My views on abortion shifted the moment I felt my baby move.
Raising children got a jolt of reality when I got a few of them.
Girls and boys being raised the same way was a theory that lasted about as long as it took Lizzy to stomp her foot and tell me "You hurt my feelings." (The boys and I just stared at her and wondered where that came from.)
No - absolutely No - on the boy-girl sleepovers after prom was a standard I didn't even realize had slipped until we'd had several at our house. Somehow, having them under our supervision was so appealing we changed our opinion without even blinking an eye.
Unless you have the HOPE scholarship you can't live on campus, faded from our vocabulary and we didn't even try to rationalize it. We'd just changed our minds. By that time we didn't need to rationalize or make excuses - we just realized we often made decisions and decrees with what we knew at the time. New knowledge, New Opinions.
When is it being wishy-washy and when is it being flexible? And is this realization of growth and change happening, the truth behind wisdom coming with age? I know I'm way more careful about making pronouncements about things which I have not experienced yet.
On the other hand, there are things I've tried and tested over my 48 years which have stood strong. Love always wins, Faith leads to peace, It could always be worse, and Smiling makes you feel better. I'll stand on those - unless I change my mind!
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