It's September 5 and I haven't started the normal "random" gmail draft that I add to...life has been BUSY, even right now, I should definitely not be typing these sentences. Anyway, I have a couple days to come up with some things. This is coming to mind because I had something come to mind. Phew.

My cousins asked me to join there Fantasy Football League. Something I've never done before. Fantasy anything that is...I agreed. I guess today starts the official scoring or whatever. Since the beginning, I have gotten random texts about trades they have sent me but today I have recieved MANY trades and texts and reminders. It's kind of stressful. An added stress, I simply do not need. It's kind of pointless but I'll stick with it for them. We have a huge deadline of stuff they need for church on Sunday - logo, webpages, brochures etc, plus ArtPrize and packing has been ridiculous.My hope is after Oct. 6 (end of ArtPrize), I get some down time before basketball starts up. I doubt it but I can hope, right?

The other day I went to blog and the below image is what I saw. I laughed out loud.

2.0. Wow! I have been using Xanga for 8.5 years and this is the 2.0 update. Too good. It is a pretty nice update and it'll take a bit to get used to since it has been the same for 8.5 years.

I followed this website this summer. Absolutely fascinating. Call me sick but I genuinely enjoy following people. I like reality TV (Survivor, Bachelorette, Bachelor, Amazing Race) and reality things like this. Why? People fascinate me. The things they do under different circumstances, what we feel, why we feel them etc. It's fascinating and screwed up, all the same. This dating thing was, just that, fascinating and screwed up. And kind of sad. A world without God usually is.

A coworker sent me this video and I couldn't help but laugh. The combination of the song and the music video. I found myself thinking, is this for real? Then he just showed me this. 40 million views in 2 days. Just sad that this is what the world encourages.

If there was one person I could have every recipe in her recipe book. Hands down it would be Mrs. Strayhorn.

I really enjoy listening to sermons while at work (and music, of course) but this about sermons - I like engaging my mind in other things. Sometimes work can get very repetitive, so engaging my mind to think about things is good (for me). Some of my favorite are Chris Weeks at Kent City Baptist (he actually spoke chapel in HS and I really enjoyed his speaking then...I actually saw him at the beach the other day and almost said hi but quickly reminded myself, dumby he doesn't know who you are - just finished James), Mark Driscoll at Mars Hills (um, not the Grand Rapids Rob Bell church - just started Esther - I am only through lesson 3 and I'm not sexist by any means but man, I like the responsibility that he puts on men to protect women/daughters. Also the way he's relating each of the sermons back to Jesus being better than...also in Jesus is a better Savior ans Jesus died a better death, he portrays Mordecai and Esther in a way I've never heard them portrayed. Honestly, some of the things he said kind of rubbed me the wrong way but I like that, I like being challenged ), Mark Cizauskas from First Baptist Church of Rochestor (he was our music Pastor at WCBC for many years and I always enjoyed when he spoke - he has such a passion for the Word - recently finished his series on David), John Piper's sermons and sometime I listen to our sermons (West Cannon Baptist Church) over again because they were that challenging.

Another email address: muddypuppies@----.com, I'm sorry but that just sounds dirty.

I like drinking ice cold water but with stipulation. I don't like ice in an open face cup, meaning when the ice could hit my teeth. My teeth are too sensitive for that. In a cup or water bottle (with a straw), now that does it.

Today is 9/11. I can't believe it has been 12 years.

This is friends picture from her wedding. Two words. Too far. (Click on the picture and make it bigger. You'll understand.)

Ok, I seemed to have come up with some things to fill this post in just a few days. I know you were all worried.

I spend quite a bit of time with my Grandma - especially this summer. I genuinely enjoy her company and talking with her about anything but there are times, I just smile to myself. She says some of the darndest things. There really should be a TV show about that.

1. I opened the trunk of my car to put something in it. Grandma: "What boy owns this car?"

Running shoes, biking shoes, helmet, camelbak and basketballs...umm, guess I need to put something else in there to make it a girl trunk?

2. Grandma: "Here we are to have the meal of a lifetime." ...as we walk into Big Boy...in Cedar Springs. I laughed out loud and she asked why.

3. Grandma sees some horses: "Aren't you guys cute? Do you want a dog bone?" Umm, Grandma...those are horses.

As strange as some of her comments are, I know, I am quite a bit like her. She is the MASTER book...um, owner/giver-away-er. I don't even know how to put that into words. All my life, I have been getting stacks of books from her. STACKS. It wasn't until post college where this really became something I appreciated. You see, if she reads a book and likes it, she buys 100 of them and gives them out to all of us. Or if I want to read a (Christian) book, I never just purchase it. Grandma has a huge library of books and has multiple of them sitting on her shelf, ready to give away. It really is a huge blessing. Anyway, there was a book she was currently reading, one I have actually heard quite a bit and wanted to get my hands on it. I asked if I could read it after her (not sure if she'd purchase that one for everyone), so she gave it to me.

I began laughing as I read through it. She capitalizes pronouns of God through the book.

Her attempt at capitalizing "Me" was kind of funny to me. Anyway, I wrote about how that is a pet peeve of mine almost a year ago. I just think it's right for any reference to Him to be capitalized. I guess that makes me a Grandma.

Until next time.

My psychotic schedule from July 8 until the summer schedule ends (work is a given every week day). Next summer I need to cut some things out but I don’t really know what. I laugh at thinking about how I thought last summer was busy.

But seriously...it is a bit psychotic and I might have a small hernia at the end of it. Or not.

July 8 – Development Meeting at Algoma (mostly a waste of time...but Kelly is there, so we make the best of it.)

July 9 – Forum (Bible Study)

July 10 – Bball Open Gym at Algoma 5-6:30 (I moved it up a half hour, so I can run home and jump in the shower before heading to Bible Study…so I don’t have to do that when I get home), Bible Study at 7:30 – it’s at friend’s house, so I feel pretty comfortable going with wet hair and in sweats. Haha. Saves time.

July 11 – Softball game, a little bit of time in between work and softball game – so I bring my computer to work on church announcements for Sunday

July 12 – ArtPrize Meeting (that was crazy!), Gabey’s B-day Treasure Hunt Surprise

July 13 – After dropping Gabey off, headed to Detroit for ArtPrize pictures and see some friends – had an impromptu dinner with Kae as well

July 14 – Headed back from Detroit, got back around 4 – cleaned, burned some work DVDs, 6:30 headed over to Main’s for a hangout to see some people I haven’t seen in a while (probably should’ve said no to this).

July 15 – Hung out with a couple people I haven’t spent time with in a long time.

July 16 – ArtPrize pictures in Allegan rush back for Forum

July 17 - Bball Open Gym at Algoma, Bible Study

July 18 – ArtPrize pics, announcements, Softball game

July 19 – Oil change (1,000 miles over already),  ArtPrize Meeting, laser tag with some HS kids, Dinner with Lisa and the Grandparents,  Hang out with HS English teacher

July 20 – Breakfast in the morning with Lisa and dad, worked an hour, dropped off wedding pics, tubing with Lisa, Gabe/Beka and nephews, and Megan and Jason’s house for wedding stuff. This is Lisa’s brother and Lisa and I are the Mistress’ of Ceremony.

July 21 – Alarm clock didn't go off -- stayed in bed until 11 AM (SOOO good), family birthday parties, phone call with a friend I haven’t talked to in awhile who lives in S. Carolina, VBS – just for Grandma (story 3)

July 22 – Golf with Joel – subbing in

July 23 – Forum

July 24 – Cancelling bball and not going to Bible Study …to help Grandma in VBS

July 25 – Announcements, Softball

July 26 – ArtPrize meeting,  Megan’s Bach. Party - actually looking forward to...going to the beach for some of it. (edit: beach got cancelled due to rain), so gave me a chance to visit a friend who had her baby.

July 27 – Breakfast with dad, Leaving for Cedar Point - worked 3 out of the 4 hours in the car on ArtPrize

July 28 – Cedar Point and heading back - worked 2 out of the 4 hours on ArtPrize

July 29 – Golf with Grandpa

July 30 – Debbie then White Caps game with Forum group

July 31 - Bball Open Gym at Algoma, Bible Study

Aug. 1 – Dentist in the morning (HATE!), Announcements,  Softball game

Aug. 2 – Nothing at the moment. Shocking, I know! Update: ArtPrize meeting, ArtPrize pictures and a possible wedding meeting

Aug. 3 – Kayak , then head to Detroit – ArtPrize after photos, Kae’s half b-day party (she's awesome and plans these for herself).

Aug. 4 – Tiger’s game with Kae (first one) A couple summers ago, some friends and I went to one and by the 3rd inning it was completely rained out. Probably the hardest and craziest rain I have ever seen. Anyway, looking forward to it.

Aug .5 – I have down golfing with Grandpa but I’m pretty sure the schedule ends the week before.

Aug. 6 – Melting Pot with Uncle Rob, Aunt Connie and Lisa

Aug. 7 – Megan and Jason’s rehearsal dinner

Aug. 8 – Setting up for Megan and Jason’s wedding (most likely) or a softball game

Aug. 9 – Megan and Jason’s wedding

Aug. 10 – Spend with Lisa before she leaves the next day

Aug. 11 – Lisa leaves

Aug. 12 - Development Meeting at Algoma

Aug. 13 – After work join the fam on vacation! Yes…vacation! Looking forward to it!

After that, freeeeeeedom. Kind of.

Aug. 21 – Church Carnival Aug. 22 & 29 – Softball Tourney Aug. 24 – Sprint Tri

ArtPrize needs to be installed Sept. 14. There will be much editing and more things to get ready for that which I will find time for above. I have a friend due in July or August who wants me to do her newborn/family pics…so need to find time for that when the baby comes. The thing I have loved is God seems to provide the time I need. The week-ish prior to this schedule I had a friend who needed me a couple days in a row and I dropped things I needed to get done to be there for her. Yet, somehow God in His grace allowed everything to get done that actually needed to get done. God is faithful in it all.

I'm turning into my parents. You see. All growing up, to the day, ANY time my parents see a…white family with brown kids, especially Indian kids. They are there asking questions faster than a fat kid gets to cake when he sees it. They eat it up. Where are they from? Oh, we have two girls from India and the next you know it they're swapping social security numbers (ok, not that far). You get the idea. 

(A lot of the below is rambling but this is more so for my records but it's a good story, if you feel like reading.)

When softball games are at 6:15, I go straight to the field after work. It's more convenient. Anyway, I was sitting in my car working on the church announcements. Yes, I brought my computer to do work because I knew I'd have a little down time. Well it was around 5:45 and I saw some little kids on the softball field and the mom was sitting in the truck watching those kids and her other child at football. I thought, hey, I'll walk over there and maybe play with them (knowing in a weird way the mom would show up a little protective like…any mother would). The kids were all about my nephews age. I went over, sat my stuff down in the dug out, then went and sat in the grass. The mom came strolling by as I thought and I heard her talking to the kids about their slushies in the dugout. For whatever reason, I decided to walk in and strike up a conversation. The kids (3 boys) were obviously adopted…or there was that small chance her husband was not white. The other kid playing football was white, so I played my odds. Yes, this was all in my thought process before finally mustering up the courage to ask.

I like my embarrassing parents always do…I asked. Are they adopted? Which struck up one crazy God-ordained-not-coincedental conversations. She was a little hesitant at first to say something so I added, I was adopted that's why I ask. She said she was fascinated by stories like this and wel, it began. I practically shared my entire testimony. This lady was in tears. I shared about the abortions my birth mom tried to have/perform, shared about my parents mindset of adopting Lydia and "doing the math" about how old they'd be when she graduated HS etc (this lady was obviously a little older adopting 3 kids who were younger, which is why I added that), how family isn't defined by blood and even told her about ArtPrize. It was an absolutely insane conversation. She kept sharing parts of her story and her struggles with this adoption throughout my sharing - it was such a seemless conversation. Through her tears she kept saying, "You're my angel today. I needed this conversation." She also made a comment my mom has recently been saying to me and I don't say this to brag but I appreciated it, "How did you get so wise? You're too young to have this kind of wisdom." It was incredible to see her touched by the story God has given me. I mean really incredible. From what I can gather, this women was a believer but sharing His story with a complete stranger was reassuring yet again. I'm humbled that it really touched her. She's a little older (45ish) and is getting a lot of push back from her family for wanting to adopt these kids. The adoption is finalized this week and the kids are in foster care with her right now. 

The whole conversation was just good. God is good and was able to see a complete strange touched by the ArtPrize piece. That was encouraging for me.

Two posts in one day. It's about time to do some devos and head to bed.

This is a long one. 

you wish you could freeze in time. One of those moments you know will be etched in your memory forever. One of those happened tonight. We were at Forum, our Tuesday night Bible study at 5/3 ball park. I'm in charge of the social media and pictures for it. When it's your role for one thing, it becomes your role for everything from that moment out. Which is fine with me, I enjoy it (for the most part). At the end of the night, we were ending with a couple songs and I was taking some pictures in the back and stayed there to sing. My uncle was standing a little in front of me but I knew he knew I was there. You just know.

My uncle is ...kind of a big deal. I'm one of those people that is super easily intimidated by big deal kind of people. If he wasn't my uncle, despite who he is, I probably would be too chicken to ever talk to him. I seriously mean that. He's a president of a company, on the Cedarville board of trustees amongst many other things - known by practically everyone. The thing I love about him is he's such a humble guy. The whole Forum idea was his brain child because he cares about our age group but he takes no credit. He donates his time and money in so many areas and asks for nothing in return. To me, he's a big deal and yet every single time I see him he gives me a hug. For some reason, I love that because he's my uncle. He invests in so many people's lives and is a big deal in many circles, yet he cares about me. Go ahead and match that analogy to God and how God is a big deal and He cares about us. It's an analogy that works and leaves you humbled in a much bigger way.

ANYWAY, back to standing and singing. He knew I was there. After a half a song, he stepped back puts his arm around me and kissed my forehead and said, "I'm really glad you're here." For some reason it brought the urge of a tear to my eye. I know that sounds stupid. A tear didn't fall but the urge was there, which took me by surprise. Such a little action he will probably never think twice about but to me, his niece, it'll be a moment I treasure. A moment of love from an uncle to his niece that meant a lot.

That's it. This heart was blessed because of it.

The Christian School. Yes. I said it. The Christian School. It hasn’t been until quite recently that I’ve actually had something I felt was actually relevant. All schools have issues. Public. Private. Homeschool. Same with churches, you aren't going to find a perfect one. Ever. It's made up of sinners. What do you expect? I digress. You see, I went to a Christian school for my entire education. Pre-k through senior year and college. I want to make it very clear that I loved it and am so ridiculously thankful for it. Thankful that they taught me TRUTH, so I’m able to identify something that isn’t truth. In the same way people that know counterfeit bills study the real bill and not every single bill there is out there. You know the real thing, then you can spot something false very quickly. Christian education (plus family and church) taught me and engrained in me a great foundation. I was taught much more than what was in a textbook with teachers/profs who went far beyond their job description and no thank you would ever do it all justice.

Ok, back to my beef.

A little back-story and you’ll probably be able to guess where I’m going pretty quickly. Maybe.

One of my HS kids on my basketball team got pregnant in between her Junior and Senior year. She decided to keep the baby, had to drop out of school and do her senior year at home.

Prior to well...the last couple years, I would have said, “Yeah, that should be how it goes. They deserve that because they had sex...before marriage.” Ask me now with a little more wisdom. I genuinely think that is sooo backward, like we treat it as the ultimate sin. When I got wind of the pregnancy through some of my other kids on my team. They were distraught, furious, hurt...understandably so. To the point of calling me on the phone not sure what to do or say. One of the things I said to them was, “You may not believe it but she is actually doing the hardest thing. She could have easily aborted the child without anyone knowing and moved on in life but instead she’s taking responsibility for her actions by doing the selfless thing by becoming a mother.” The father and her decided to get married (sooner than they planned) before the baby was born. They had a small wedding ceremony with family and were planning a bigger wedding later on.

I respected that.

I was at CPR training this past Saturday at Algoma and mentioned the wedding. One lady commented this, “They shouldn’t have a wedding for fooling around before they were married. It’s just a party.” Did I speak up? Nope. I didn’t say a word. Do I wish I did? You better believe it.

This sin. This having sex before marriage sin is no different than cheating on a paper, lying, speeding. We aren’t kicking kids out of school for that? Oh that’s right, we wouldn’t have a school if we did.

This kid messed up. I get it but we mess up...EVERY SINGLE DAY. We ask for forgiveness and God by His GRACE gives it to us. You see, I get it if this kid wasn’t repentant but she was. Why are we turning our backs in a CHRISTIAN school to these girls doing the right thing after they’ve done a public sin. Honestly, I’m certain of it that there are other girls in that school or any Christian school have premarital sex. The difference is they aren’t getting pregnant, so we naively believe it isn’t happening. Then we alienate the ones who become pregnant because we can physically see their sin. That sickens me. Shame on us as believers. They could have aborted the child and chose not to. It's almost like we're encouraging that instead of choosing life. “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

For goodness sake, the public schools allow it where they aren’t getting support like they could from a Christian school. Why aren’t we addressing this issue in the Christian school? I really think we should and am wondering why it hasn’t been addressed before? Maybe it has...I would like to know how that conversation went. Maybe some regulations would need to be put into place. You can stay if you do this, this, and this. Just the idea of this, for some reason, I can see really ticking some people off at Algoma and honestly, I don’t know why. We have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. ALL.

That’s the gist of what I should’ve said on Saturday. I’m ashamed I didn’t open my mouth.

It has been awhile since I've done a Grandma-ism. Here's the first one.

My Grandma, I suppose, like most is a pharmacist in her own mind. In her own mind but because she is Grandma. You learn not to question it and take it. My Grandma's first drug of choice is Excedrin...for almost anything. This isn't a joke. Don't speak badly about Excedrin around her or you'll get an ear full. I love her and she means well.

Story 1

A little over a month ago, I was weirdly sick for five weeks straight. The first week wasn't too horrible. The second week was miserable equally me working at home. The third week was no fun. The fourth and fifth week, the only remains of it was a horrid cough. I felt perfectly fine except for this nagging cough. It was in week two I had promised Grandma to come over to help her with her printer...again. I headed over there after working (from home). She heard/saw me and within seconds the below photo was in front of me.

 She was stirring up Alka-Seltzer Plus and the white pill is an Excedrine. She then asked if I had any Excedrin at home? She answered her own question with, "Oh you're a young lady with no medicine drawer." She put it on her grocery list of things to get, even though I told her it wasn't necessary. A couple days later she dropped off Execdrine Migraine, which she swears works for any sickness.

Story 2

I slid in softball again. It's actually not as bad as last year.

Everyone always asks me why I do it and I always respond with "In the moment, I'm not thinking this is going to hurt later. I'm thinking of how I won't be out. I can't tell myself not to give me all." Anyway, I didn't see Grandma until last night when I went golfing with Grandpa. Before I walked in I tweeted, "About to walk into Grandma's house. $500 says she'll say I need to go to the doctor for me leg. I should bet more. " I had shorts on because it was toasty warm. She was over to me in a second (yes, that's a photo below).

...does it hurt? I have Excedrine. It's ok grandma...you should get it checked out and so the conversation went. Off we went to go golfing. Once we finished, I took the bandages off, so it could breath and get some air. Well Grandma stayed up to see us. She was ready in her jammies to bring me

You should have seen her face when she realized it was unwrapped and she could really see it.

haha, oh Grandma! She's so funny but it's obvious she cares soo much. I truly do love her and am confident she gave me my last Neosporin.  

Third Story (not to do with medicine)

Grandma teaches for VBS every year. This year the theme is something to do with the Armor of God. She was sooo excited to show me this...she's going to use it as a poster board in her room.

My plan was not to go this year/help but she has this great idea...something about me dressing up like that at the end of the week and let kids throw things at me. Thanks for choosing me, Grandma...and you can't say no beause she's Grandma, so that's what I'll be doing.

Being content can be an incredibly difficult thing. Incredibly. Going to weddings of kids much younger than you, people you stood in their wedding are now expecting, or kids who were much younger than you that got married are now expecting, others are buying houses, people losing weight or doing crazy races. We're constantly fed with new exciting news. How? Social media. Rarely anyone lays out there dirty laundry on social media. Why? That wouldn't get many comments or likes. People (for the most part) don't want to read that. It's a constant flow of information. Refresh Facebook. 10 new updates. Refresh Twitter. Same thing. 

And I'm...living in my parent's basement reading books about being single in the church. I laughed tonight as one girl on my basketball proclaimed she'd be married by at least 22. Although I was never that girl to plan or daydream about my wedding (I'm still not) - I can tell you I didn't think I'd be where I am today as a HS kid or even in college. I will also say, I know for certain some things in my life wouldn't be what they are today if I were married with kids. God's plan and timing are perfect. I recognize that, even in my moments of discontentment.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm genuinely happy for the above and these people. It's great and what a huge blessing it is to see others being blessed in these ways. Nor is it there job to make sure I feel content. My contentment isn't based off someone or something else. At least it shouldn't be. The Lord is just blessing me differently. I believe that and I know that but it still makes contentment difficult, at times...because we I compare, compare, compare. I'm sure you've heard the quote, "The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel." Possibly this is true. Everyone else seems to have it all together. The grass is always greener on the other side, right?

Paul said he had learned to be content in every situation had been in...shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned and so on.

Philippians 4:11-12

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Luke 12:15

"Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."

So there you go, a little raw behind-the-scenes. Learning to be content. Most days, I truly am. Today just got me a little. It's a work in progress as I learn over and over again.