The Truth About Church Softball. Part 1.

Handsome's life is a bit different than mine. This morning actually, I should probably be calling him Mr. Ruggedly, not Handsome. That is yesterday he endured some major trauma...

so for now I feel like I'm being a little more candid with the Rugged part. (Even if I still think he is Handsome...)

It was a little bit difficult to get a good picture of this gash with my phone. Or his phone. What happened you ask? Well, our phones just don't actually take that great of photos... (Oh, you were asking about his eye... and that was the purpose of the post anyway right? )

Ok so back to "Mr. Ruggedly" (for now)... He and I went to his church softball game yesterday evening. It was an early game, 6:30. Just in time for the glaring sun to be shining down on me as I strain to watch the game. Just in time to be too hot for jeans, but not quite hot enough for shorts. Just in time for me to have to actually do homework or school related stuff when I get home because I won't be legitimately tired enough not to. Needless to explain further that I wasn't thrilled about the early game...

So my man usually plays short or third, but he last night he moved to the outfield because no one else could (or wanted) to play out there. So this guy gets up to bat and he is a good two hundred and thirty pounds of something. And just as expected he slammed one. Actually, that is not totally accurate because it didn't go over. But he hit it well... somewhere he must have thought no one would get to it. It was slightly close to left field, somewhat of a run from left center where Mr. Ruggedly was playing.

But you guessed. My Mr. Ruggedly can usually get to most things. He's quick on his feet so they say. And I suppose that is where his true problem began. Both the left fielder, we'll call Leftie for ease, and Mr. Ruggedly saw the ball and saw the placement. (I know you know what is coming next). They both took off running and somehow they both got to the ball at the same time as one another. Ouch. I know. It definitely wasn't pretty and I was some 153 yards away. (Not sure if that is an accurate representation of distance.)

But Mr. Ruggedly popped right back up after some large collision, and he waved the ball at the ump (For the third out of the inning by the way) ... Sadly, Leftie didn't get up so quickly. He lay on the field for sometime. Long enough for all of Mr. Ruggedly's teammates made their way to Left Center field. It took some time. We were getting restless and uncomfortable in the stands. I think the other team was getting a little uncomfortable too, though their wives didn't seem to notice.... But eventually his team helped him up. (His knee is in pretty bad shape...)

So all the while I was sitting in the bleachers on third base, talking to one of the other wives and thinking my man is a-okay. I was not concerned in the slightest. I knew he had had many head injuries (and I definitely couldn't tell where they collided) but Handsome (I mean Mr. Ruggedly) had popped right back up. And I know I saw him flash a grin when he waved that ball at the umpire.

And I continued on like this, slightly worried about Leftie's limping on his way back to the dugout, but primarily just thinking I was glad my man got out of that one okay (Have I mentioned he is prone to head injuries? Like gashes and concussions. God Bless his mother's soul for all those years he caused her grief).

Back to the story: Umm, so we were sitting there talking about Leftie when the other woman's husband comes up. He said, "Wife," (to his obviously, not to me), "We are gonna need an ice pack for Leftie. Oh, and do you have a First Aid kit or a band-aid or anything in the car? Mr. Ruggedly is bleeding."

She wasn't prepared.

I however, always have band-aids. Smuggly, I handed him one that he could take to my husband... to bind up his wounds. Little did I know that a band-aid was seriously not going to bind up this wound.

To Be Continued.

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

Concrete Post. And Much Randomness. (And Hopefully I Am Being More Clear Than Yesterday).

I apologize to you for my apparently super complicated blog post yesterday morning. I thought for sure I was making sense. And then I read it again and it still made sense in my brain of brains, but that is probably because I know what I am trying to say and just assume its coming across.

Don't give up on me!! Please.

Here are a few important messages:

1. I just purchased my favorite chick flick (ever) at Tarzsh-ay. And for five dollars at that! Anyone else LOVE One Fine Day?

2. I am in desperate need of a haircut. I started a post about my hair the same night I wrote about goats on a mountain, but oh man! After the confusion I caused with that post, I figured I better re-read and revise.

3. Won't be re-reading or revising anything until at least Monday, and more likely Wednesday. I'm at the very end of my summer semester and I wrote a LOT today.

4. When I type quite a bit, my poor hands start feeling like I have carpal tunnel. Saddest news.

5. I'm going to attempt to take more photos and put them on the blog! How does that sound? Better than long drawn out stories with no concrete details?

6. Seriously. No one ever responded to my question about why you guys peg me for a high heels girl? Or maybe you just don't peg me for a tenny-shoe girl. (Maybe because I change the spelling of tennie, tennis, constantly?).

7. And seriously. Would it have been more believable if I had posted that I own more flip flops than high heels?

8. My glasses are in bad shape and I probably need to get my little readers checked again. Sounds fun huh? 1 or 2? 2 or 3? 3 or 4? Ok, now 4 or 1? (you probably only get that if you have been to the eye doctor on a semi-annual basis.)

9. Maybe I should quit trying to make jokes on my blog. Not sure they come across well. :)

10. I hope you have a lovely weekend. I may be working hard for a while, but joy cometh on Wednesday!

P.S. If you got nothing else from my last post, the one thing I hope that came across is that the Lord is so faithful. And He gave me just the right word in Psalm 20 for the situation I am in. And I am so thankful for that. It gave me some truth to cling onto.

He Saves Me From My Distress.

I have had a difficult time the last week-ish. I had a fairly major stress situation in my "practicum." I cannot share many of the details with you on my blog (for many reasons), but I definitely can tell you a little about what was going on in my heart and mind.

Essentially, a "situation" came up. (How do you like that for detail?) It involved a few, actually I will say several individuals other than myself. Each individual had a role to play in the "situation." It has been on-going basically all summer, but everything began to culminate since last Tuesday or Wednesday.

And I had known all along what could happen. The only problem was that there were probably 12 different "coulds" or potential outcomes, if you will, and all along I imagined that one of the first 11 would happen. The 12th was so far out of my idea of what might happen that I didn't spend much time concerned with it. (I hope I am being clear enough that you are following me.)

Until Wednesday. And that day I realized that we were headed straight on a narrow path along the side of a mountain to number 12. Against all of my hopes, desires, training, dreams, education, life experiences, and strengths. I felt like some sort of cow trying to keep up with a Goat that climbs rocky mountainous terrain for a living...

Or maybe just a baby goat, but you get the picture!

And I was on the path, not by choice or desire, but because of an obligation to one of the individuals involved, who actually had all of the decision making power about turning back or continuing on.

Now whether I was the baby goat and I was just learning, or whether I was the cow and was completely in the wrong area, where I definitely should not have been (like Simba in The Lion King when he went to the Elephant Graveyard), that determination was never made.

And that is because I'm no longer on the path to 12. That individual, and another individual with some degree of power and control over the situation, wanted to turn back. To essentially get on a larger, less steep and risky path. She decided that for her, one of the knowns in 1-11 was actually better than continuing on along the side of the mountain.

This situation I was in, that would have affected my life a great deal over the next probably eight weeks, was out of my control. I had some ability to influence or encourage, but the ultimate decision was not up to me. And I can't honestly say that I did not struggle with it. (Oops, double negative, I'll be more clear:) I struggled and struggled with it. I felt like my faith was tested. My patience was tested. My sleeping was interfered with, because I was awake at night thinking about 1-11 and how to talk someone not me our of 12. Or how to cut the rope that was connected to me if we were supposed to keep going to 12. So I struggled, I cried, I complained (I know its bad), I lost sleep, I prayed, I read the Bible, and I asked for help from others both in the form of empathy and advice. And even though this challenging time only lasted for the "night" (the weeping lasts for the night), I felt like it was a really long one. And Praise be to God who delivered me from my distress. Who saved me from the situation. Who answered me in my cry for help, my cry for mercy.

HE is faithful.

And I know if this decision to back down the mountain and opt for the safer, less adventurous, but more secure path down had not been made, HE would still be faithful. And He would have had a plan for me in the midst of my struggle.

But I am filled with JOY that this was not that circumstance. And I will be thrilled beyond belief when it is made official in the day after this one.

Monday morning, before I left to go to school and immediately before the time when the decision could have been made, I reached for my Bible and turned to Psalm 20, (because Monday was the 20th and sometimes when I don't know where to go in a day, I go to a Psalm or Proverb that has the same number as the days date...) And I must tell you... I felt so reassured by it that I want to share it with you now.

¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

² May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

³ May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah

⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

⁹ O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!

How good is our God?

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

The Truth.

Ok, ok... the long awaited answer post!

1. I am seriously not sure what it means that you guys peg me for a high heels girl! Grrr. Would it have been more believable if I had said flip flops.

I actually own about 4 pair of heels, and 1 pair of boots with a heel.

As of Friday I owned 4 pair of tennis shoes.

So as of Friday you all are mostly correct. But I got new running and hiking tennie's this weekend so now all three are truths!!! Didn't plan that. The hiking are because that is something handsome and I have been doing. The running are because mine are hurting my feet. I also have a pair of grey ones that are nice for jeans. An old pair of running that I have painted and played in the mud in. And a pair of tennie's for shorts etc, that are not the most supportive for athletic activity, but have been good to just slip on when I'm all "casz" but want socks! (Seriously, I hardly wear sandals because my feet are always cold and I love me a good pair of socks...) Maybe I will post photos of all the shoes on here soon.

As far as "High" heels go, I have a red peep-toe pair, a black suede peep-toe pair, a black slingback, a black closed heel, and a pair of black boots. That is probably enough information.

2. I have a miniature flip flop that says " I Heart(red symbol not the word) [Mr. Ruggedly Handsome]".

I think its ridiculously cute. But it also makes me feel like I'm a bit 14. Except and "I heart someone" would totally be inappropriate if I were 14. And I never had such a thing at 14.

3. And yes, I really only like sage green and white towels. And if total truth were known I probably wouldn't go for sage green if I had a bathroom with wall color... but I have come to know and accept the sage green towel as it acts as a "color" in the bathroom. You see, I have had white / ivory bathroom walls for the last, oh, six or seven years. And the white towels just really aren't that pretty. Thankfully Handsome's towel's are navy so we don't have an issue confusing them.

Thanks to those of you who played my game!!

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

Two Truths and a Lie.

So you all have probably played two truths and a lie at some point in your life. I thought we could play here in Blogville for a little bit of fun.
1. I have more pairs of tennis shoes than high heels.
2. I have a mini flip flop on my keyring.
3. I really only like sage green or white towels. Other colored towels freak me out.

You tell me what your guess is and I will tell you the truth (s) on Monday!

Bad. Blogger.

So I suppose I could make a lot of lame excuses for myself for the reasons I haven't been blogging...
I haven't been blogging because I broke my foot and haven't been able to reach the computer. Or I haven't been blogging because nothing exciting is going on. Or I haven't been blogging because soooo much exciting has been going on that I haven't had time to sit down long enough to type a post, and man I'm tired when I do sit down because walking around on crutches all day is totally exhausting!
But lying would be so lame right? Because if I really did break my foot then surely I would have a good story to tell and some pictures of the dang cast! So I won't make excuses. And I won't even really apologize... but I will say that I sort of have a lot going on. Not so much that I haven't been able to sit down and write, but the what's that have been going on aren't necessarily things I want to blog about. Or sometimes think about. And therefore, my brain is filled with lots of nothingness about which I could actually write and entertain you. (You = anyone that might still actually read my blog. If I were YOU, I probably would have quit it by now :)! )
So instead of a thought-out creative post, I end up writing an explanation (aka lame excuse), which wasn't my goal at all.
And since I'm already off track I might as well share a little list of some of what is going on or has gone on:
1. Brother moved out of the country.
2. Found out canker sores come from dehydration and stress.
3. My mom came to visit me, we went to a cool spiritual event, and then she left because her dearest friend is in the hospital.
4. I got a new cell phone because the screen started going on on my other one. (I think cell phone companies do this on purpose to mess with people, so that no one can actually keep a cell phone for some absurdly long period of time, like I don't know, two years!)
5. I found out that I might not get a summer break during the first three weeks of August after all. (I'm praying for the Lord to help me and intervene here because I'm feeling desperate for some relaxation, rest, rejuvenation, and mostly a brain break for a little while before the Fall semester rolls around.)
6. Handsome waxed my car. Well, part of it. :)
7. Sonic's free upgrade to a Route 44 drink does not make me happy. I find it wasteful, because there is no way I can drink that large of any variety of a sugary drink. Dr. Pepper, Strawberry Limeade. Iced Tea. I would be lucky to drink 44 oz. of H2O in one day and I actually really like water.
8. I get nervous when I have to do public speaking. I did some today and I have to do some again tomorrow. Seriously. Not a big fan.
9. My paper, you know the one right? It's still lurking. Ha.
10. Handsome's weekly softball game was forfeited this week because of evening VBS. And I was as disappointed as he was because I seriously enjoy going to his games each week.
Yay! I just completed a blog post, even though I didn't think I had it in me to write about much of anything. I can't guarantee I'll be better. Or more interesting, but I'll try.
I'm here. And I'm still writing (even if you doubted it...)

Prayer Requests.

Dear Friends,
Today I will share my heart with you. It is heavy, but at the same time joyful, as I have many prayers that are running through my mind. I thought I might share some of them with you.
Please be in prayer for my friend Kelley from The Lawrences, and her sweet family. They are facing some difficult situations and I want them each to feel the Lord's presence in their lives and his Steafastness in their situation.
My brother, TB, because he has a major life change coming up in a few days. I'm super excited for and proud of him. I believe the Lord has great plans for him in this new adventure he will be embarking on. Please pray for him to draw near the Lord and to be prepared to grow and change and take one step more on his journey towards becoming a godly grown man.
My friend Rachel who is having a biopsy today. She knows it probably won't be comfortable, so please be in prayer for her momentary discomfort and for the results as well. 
My sweet husband who is waiting.  And who supports me in so many ways each and every day and has made so many sacrifices for us already. I hope he knows that I appreciate him and I trust the Lord has great plans for us. 
And maybe for me too, if you wouldn't mind. I am facing a new challenge today, one I must surely become accustomed to as I embark on this path towards my new "career." But the first day of a new occurrence can sometimes be one of the toughest and tomorrow is my first day doing this one certain thing. I am nervous, but I am prepared and I know the Lord will be with me. 
These are the prayers of my heart at the moment. Among some others unspoken and unwritten. I know I didn't give you very much information relating to any of these situations, however, the Lord knows them all and I am grateful for your prayers. 
I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Focus on the Family Broadcast

Do you ever catch the Focus on the Family Daily broadcasts on the radio in your area? 
Last night as I was driving the daily program came on. Adolf Coors IV, (yes as in Coors of Coors the beer), was talking about his journey towards salvation. I caught part II of the message. I assume part I was played on Monday night.
Let me just say... That man has a passion for the Lord. He shared so much wisdom and insight (and some humor) in the twenty-five minutes  or so that I was listening to the program, that I must  recommend it! If you go here! you will be able to find it by some navigation. 
I think the steps are something like what follows:  Near the bottom there is a Hot Topics section, then there are probably 3 boxes in that area. The one with the microphone and sound symbols below it is the one with daily broadcasts! The message I am writing about is titled "My Journey Towards Salvation." I can't post the exact link, but its definitely worth the search.
Some highlights of the broadcast (not necessarily in the order that he spoke them):
We would not care how much other people think of us if we knew how seldom they do!
A true friend will attend your funeral and never look at his watch.
Is your passport into eternity stamped? 
A good marriage is a union of two forgivers.
and this last one made me laugh! (He was talking about how we cannot rely on a spouse to fill our void but that we must rely on Jesus)
Women often marry men just like their dads... It is no wonder that so many mothers cry at weddings!
And in case you were wondering, I text them to myself as he was speaking them, so I would not forget. I'm a big goof.  And I really like quotes, so there you have it.