Rules and Guidelines

It's been an interesting week and a half. So, a short update on that before I give you some much needed rules regarding snow etiquette!

Last week, a good friend of mine, aged 14, was diagnosed with leukemia. It's hard to know what to think or say when you get that kind of news. The emotional stress was compounded by the fact that we share many mutual friends. I think we did a lot of dumping on each other! Praise God, the young man has now been released from the hospital. You can continue to pray for him however, that he would keep responding well to his treatment, and that his exposure to other illnesses would be limited.

Ok, now it's time to talk about snow. Obviously, it's been snowing here, and I have a prime place to watch everybody get into trouble. You see, no one seems to know how to drive in it. I live across the street from a steep hill. Every time it snows, very few people seem to be able to get up it. Here are some driving rules passed down from experienced drivers. (I.E. my dad!)

Driving Instructions


If you're going up a hill, maintain your speed gently. If you start to slide, that is not a reason to jam on the brakes. Just keep going slowly and carefully and it should work.

If you're going down, try going in neutral.

When you come to a stop, any stop, if it's clear, don't come to a complete stop. You're more likely to slide if you accelerate from a full stop.

You can drive in other people's tracks. It has the advantage of not having to plow through snow, but it is more slippy, so be careful!

Don't panic. Drive slow, drive safe.

Walking Instructions


Always be extra careful when taking an un-trained dog on a walk in his first real snow. He'll want to pull you quite a bit faster than is safe.

When walking up a hill, don't walk flatfooted. Use your toes, sometimes with a little force, to dig steps. It takes more energy, but it is safer!

When walking down, well, I would recommend a sled! But if you don't have one, or it's not feasible for you, walk slow, and use your heels in the same way that you use your toes when going up. Look for the flat spots.

When walking anywhere, don't walk in the previously trodden path, (unless you happen to know there's a ditch elsewhere) Someone else's footprints or tire tracks are usually even icier than walking in fresh snow.

Playing Instructions


Follow walking instructions.

Stay well away from traveled roads. Don't sled on hills ending in a ditch or traveled road, OR a creek! brr!

Don't pack your snowballs too hard, throw them too hard, or aim ice balls at a face.

When belly flopping onto a sled, go in low. Don't hit with your knees first. It hurts!

Never knock over someone else's creation unless you ask first.

Try to make the perfect snow angel, with no grass showing! I dare you!

Dress warmly.

Be a good sport. Have fun.

Reviewing 2011

I have to say, this last year was one of many ups and downs for me.

I began the year as one of the most ultra-depressed persons that you have ever seen. Nearly six straight months of doing absolutely, positively nothing, every day, all day will do that for you. And I'm not exaggerating. I still get the willies when I think of the scathing, horrible letter I nearly sent to one of my good friends full of awful sweeping, usually false, statements about everything and everyone. I must say I am thankful I didn't send that letter! Early 2011 was filled with a time of listening to Satan's lies and deceptions.

This is not to say I didn't have plans! College, a job, working in ministry; it was all there. But, as the year went on, I gradually discovered that these plans were a large part of the problem. I absolutely refused to listen to what God wanted me to be doing. Hence the misery and depression. Amazingly, when I gave up my plans, God gave me His peace that passes all understanding. I have to say, it was and is one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to me. If you aren't at peace with God, get there! (You can read more about my early year here at: http://servantofjoy.blogspot.com/2011/03/stories-of-my-life-peace-and-pieces.html)

Over the summer and fall, I had many opportunities to observe and ponder some godly Christians who have and are in my life. I am so blessed to know so many people. You can read about some of them in my Letters of Gratitude, beginning with: http://servantofjoy.blogspot.com/2011/10/letters-of-gratitude.html

Also in the summer, fall, and winter, I had the thrilling experience of observing my big brother become involved in a courtship. He is now engaged. You can read about it on my previous post.

Some specific abstract highlights from the year:

I've already mentioned God's wonderful peace.
Something I've been thinking about lately is the freedom to like and love others while disagreeing.
Another thing He's shown me this year is His un-ending faithfulness, mercy, and loyalty to me as "His child the Sinner" (my nickname for myself! :D)

I am so excited about everything He has in store for me this coming year. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)

Exciting Times

My big brother is home for the week. He brought his fiancee, Sarah, and her sister, Hannah, with him.

I have to say, they're pretty amazing people. I'm so thrilled to have a new sister, (almost) and an extended family.

Sarah is gorgeously pretty, but I don't have a picture here, because my computer won't let me put one up. She is from Mississippi. They met three years ago when my brother was doing job training there.

Hannah is funny. She and Dad especially have hit it off. (Secretly, I'm very jealous of her wit.)

I can totally see that the two families are going to fit in amazingly.

In other news, I'm getting a new computer. It should be arriving this week. It is a much needed upgrade from my ten-plus-year-old Dell with graphics, memory and a million other problems. (Including not letting me post pictures of the amazing Sarah. I think I mentioned that already.)

My mother has wonderful taste. I just thought I'd mention that.

For Christmas, I received, among other things, a very blown-up, full-size canvas of my favorite picture of myself. It's very cool. I also got a cameo. I've never had a cameo. It's really pretty.

New Year's is just around the corner. There are so many exciting plans already for the 2012. I'm going to a wedding in Mississippi (Not sure who's...just kidding) I also get to nanny for a little bit in Feb. for some amazing friends, and I'm crossing my fingers in the hopes of returning to the speech and debate arena temporarily; only this time, as a judge, instead of a competitor.

Just as a warning however, if you too have many plans for the new year, be sure to get them done before next Dec. because the scientists say the world will end. :D

The Reason Why

I don't like the term: "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."

It's not that it's not true. It's rather that it doesn't say enough; it seems flippant; and, it's too limited.

Yes, Jesus is the reason. But why?
Because He was born? Yes, that's what we celebrate at this time of year, but, it doesn't go far enough.

Why was He Born? That's the real question.

He was born to die, to rise again, to save us.

Save us from what?

From our sin. That is why we celebrate His birth.  It's the beginning of the story. It's the beginning of our own second birth. And it ought not to be a season. We should celebrate and rejoice all the time in the knowledge of His wonderful salvation.

Nothing in Particular

I'm excited.

I read Isaiah 55 today. It's one of my favorite chapters.

I'm going to see Handel's Messiah this week.

I'm also getting ready for my amazing brother's visit next week!

I'm sitting here writing this when I could be cleaning the laundry room.

There are banging noises upstairs. Yes, we're getting our counter top fixed.

I love all my cool friends.

I watched an amazingly funny and sad video clip just now. It was funny. And Sad. But it had a happy ending.

I decided that extremes in real life aren't very fun, but extremes in books are hilarious. Yeah. Go read the Arabian Nights. It has lots of extremes.

I like reading fairy tales. They're full of fluffy, nonsensical, amusement.

I'm excited about Christmas.

Our dog ate some of the garlands we had up. He looked so guilty.

I'm tired of the holes and otherwise marred-looking wall that I am sitting in front of.

I'm considering getting a much-needed laptop at the end of the month. Of course, that will set my car fund a little behind. Can't have it all I guess.

My day tomorrow is ultra busy.

Cookies are amazing.

I remembered to put the spices in the gingerbread this year. It really does taste much better.

I feel like experimenting with something. But, it's too much work. I'm lazy.

I lost the package of hamburger we bought. At least, it didn't make it home somehow. It was going to feed 9 people for three meals different meals. *pause in a moment of shame*

I want to go to the library.

My cool and amazingly talented friend made me a mouse-y doll.

If you don't know who the Spinoza's are, I will be mortified.

I named my mouse doll, after Mrs. Spinoza. Mrs. Rosa Spinoza.

I should be quiet now.

Goodbye.

An Analogy

I sorting through some strings of lights this week. I plugged one string in to see if it would work. One light was flickering, as if it wasn't screwed in all the way. I wiggled it a little, and as old lights are apt to do, there was a pop and the light went out. I removed it, only to discover that the socket was smoking. Furthermore, the whole string of lights had also gone out.

James 2:10 says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

We might be a perfectly good string of lights, but if we blow up in just one little area, our whole capability for giving light will also go out.

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." ~Matthew 5:15

Choose Wisely

One of my few attempts at poetry. But, it didn't sound right in prose.

You can't un-ring a bell, that's already been rung
You can't un-clap your hands
You can't un-cut the string
You can't catch back a word that's been let loose

You can say it once
You can make amends twice
But always they will wonder if
You really meant what came out first

And in some sense
They'll be right to wonder
For does not the mouth speak
What the heart believes? (Luke 6:45)

So choose wisely
It's the only chance you'll have.
Isn't it better not to have to
Clear the air between you?

A string that's been cut
Will never be whole and strong
A friend that's been hurt
Has lost a little trust forever

Choose wisely
It's the only chance you'll have.