07 June 2010
please pray for me
I'm so nervous and feeling so insecure. I want to time travel to tomorrow night at 10pm when I will be sitting on my couch with everything behind me. I'm still not prepared. I am scared of letting down everyone who believes in me. I'm going to try to sleep now and give my brain a rest. But I'm planning on waking up super early to work on it some more before work. I don't know if anyone actually reads this, but if you do and if you pray, would you please pray for me?
05 June 2010
Tuesday
So, I have this talk on Tuesday night. I keep calling it a talk so as to not freak myself out but really, it's a sermon. 20-25 minutes. On the stage. In the sanctuary. With a microphone lapel and a PowerPoint clicker. I'm a little nervous now, but I expect to be a total mess on Tuesday including nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Unfortunately, that's not an exaggeration.
The youth interns have asked to me to speak on marriage as part of their "Getting Love Right" series. It's something I'm super passionate about. Not just because I think Timmy is the best but because I think God is the best and I'm continually amazed at the institution of marriage.
But I am overwhelmed. I have this one opportunity, 20 minutes, in hopes that it will leave a mark on these kids and lead them down the path to a God-honoring marriage. So much to say but what to say. I believe God is guiding me but I hope that I am hearing him. I told Timmy today that what I really need is just to relax and be myself. The truth is that I respect marriage. If I don't get hung up on details but just speak on the truth of the holiness of marriage, I'll be okay. It's the structure that I'm freaking out about. Hence, my insistence to keep referring to it as a talk instead of a sermon.
And in related new....
Earlier this week, Al and Tipper Gore announced their separation after 40 years of marriage. Yesterday morning, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Lisa Anne Russell announced their separation after 14 years of marriage. Today, Cesar and Illusion Milan announced their separation after 19 years of marriage. I feel more aware of the attack on marriages. I feel more convicted that someone needs to stand for them. I feel like I need to help those teenagers see that this may be normal but it's not right. Life happens. We're broken and we live in a broken world. But please don't settle for the brokenness. Fight for what God always intended.
The youth interns have asked to me to speak on marriage as part of their "Getting Love Right" series. It's something I'm super passionate about. Not just because I think Timmy is the best but because I think God is the best and I'm continually amazed at the institution of marriage.
But I am overwhelmed. I have this one opportunity, 20 minutes, in hopes that it will leave a mark on these kids and lead them down the path to a God-honoring marriage. So much to say but what to say. I believe God is guiding me but I hope that I am hearing him. I told Timmy today that what I really need is just to relax and be myself. The truth is that I respect marriage. If I don't get hung up on details but just speak on the truth of the holiness of marriage, I'll be okay. It's the structure that I'm freaking out about. Hence, my insistence to keep referring to it as a talk instead of a sermon.
And in related new....
Earlier this week, Al and Tipper Gore announced their separation after 40 years of marriage. Yesterday morning, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Lisa Anne Russell announced their separation after 14 years of marriage. Today, Cesar and Illusion Milan announced their separation after 19 years of marriage. I feel more aware of the attack on marriages. I feel more convicted that someone needs to stand for them. I feel like I need to help those teenagers see that this may be normal but it's not right. Life happens. We're broken and we live in a broken world. But please don't settle for the brokenness. Fight for what God always intended.
25 May 2010
Jaws
I am really tense these days and my jaw is telling me just how much. I don't know if this is just a recent thing, but I am holding all my tension in my jaw and it hurts. Most of my work at the church has been related to finances - very stressful. And I am constantly thinking about this marriage talk I have in two week. I feel it in my face and it hurts. I don't know how to stop it.
16 May 2010
I broke my spatula!
A year ago today, I tripped over my sandals and broke my shoulder.
I remember:
1. Dave and Joe praying for me while I was sitting on the grass waiting for a medic and then getting bandaged up. I was really grateful for their prayers because I wasn't really thinking about praying about my pain.
2. When I told the paramedics that my husband was a medic and he was meeting us at Crozer, they asked me who was my husband. When I said Tim Kaiser. The one smiled, looked at the other, and said, "we've got Tim Kaiser's wife."
3. The one paramedic was wrapping my arm and the other was kneeling in front of me. He asked me if it helped me to grab his knee. That's when I realized I has been holding his knee the entire time. I told him yes and he said that was okay.
4. People were looking at me through the windows of their apartments. I was putting on a show. There was a cop car and an ambulance and a woman on the grass unable to stand up on her own.
5. When I first fell, I called Katrina, since I was on her street. While she was getting help, I left Timmy a message telling him that I thought I hurt myself. When he called back, I started crying and couldn't talk to him. Katrina spoke to him. He told her to call the ambulance and that he would meet us at Crozer.
6. When they were carrying me to the ambulance, I said outloud, "Jesus please." The one medic said, "it's okay." My response: "oh no, that was a real prayer."
7. The drugs in the ambulance were awesome. Really awesome. They worked instantly and didn't make feel loopy. I was amazed.
8. Katrina drove in the ambulance with me. It was an another adventure. We like going on adventures together.
9. Timmy had called out sick that night because he was sick. So, all of his platoon buddies were working while we were at the hospital. They all came to check in on me. It was nice. They even reminded me of the last time Timmy and I were at the hospital together. It was two years earlier when Timmy broke his shoulder. I went into the medics' office and told them Timmy had broken his spatula :) At that moment, I knew I had said the wrong word but it was too late :) When Timmy's one co-worker walked in, I told him, "I broke my spatula."
10. Mark tried to visit me. He had heard about it from Joe; they were both at the Media Prom. Mark asked Barb if it was okay for him to leave to check in on me. She said yes. But unfortunately, he went to Riddle. That made sense - Riddle is the local hospital. But I wasn't there. We did get to speak on the phone, though.
11. The drugs at the hospital weren't as good as the ones in the ambulance. I turned to Katrina and said "this one makes me feel loopy." She laughed at me because I didn't have to tell her that; she already knew.
12. They needed a urine sample for a pregnancy test before they could do the x-ray. So Timmy and the nurse walked me to the bathroom. I told Timmy that I would try to do it myself and I would call out if I needed him. I called him in when I realized I couldn't zip my pants back up. So, he helped me with my pants and then proceeded to collect my urine sample. We walked out together and he handed the sample to the nurse. She said something like "oh, you took care of it already." His response: "Yeah, if anyone should deal with her urine, it should be me." I instantly thought, "so this is what in sickness and in health means." He's wiling to deal with pee :)
That's what I really remember from that night. I remember all the people who were concerned for me and cared me: Timmy and Katrina who stayed by my side. Joe and Dave whose first thoughts were to pray for me. Mark and Marti who couldn't wait and had to call us. Mary who was being a good mom and worrying at home. Timmy's friends who checked in. I felt loved.
I remember:
1. Dave and Joe praying for me while I was sitting on the grass waiting for a medic and then getting bandaged up. I was really grateful for their prayers because I wasn't really thinking about praying about my pain.
2. When I told the paramedics that my husband was a medic and he was meeting us at Crozer, they asked me who was my husband. When I said Tim Kaiser. The one smiled, looked at the other, and said, "we've got Tim Kaiser's wife."
3. The one paramedic was wrapping my arm and the other was kneeling in front of me. He asked me if it helped me to grab his knee. That's when I realized I has been holding his knee the entire time. I told him yes and he said that was okay.
4. People were looking at me through the windows of their apartments. I was putting on a show. There was a cop car and an ambulance and a woman on the grass unable to stand up on her own.
5. When I first fell, I called Katrina, since I was on her street. While she was getting help, I left Timmy a message telling him that I thought I hurt myself. When he called back, I started crying and couldn't talk to him. Katrina spoke to him. He told her to call the ambulance and that he would meet us at Crozer.
6. When they were carrying me to the ambulance, I said outloud, "Jesus please." The one medic said, "it's okay." My response: "oh no, that was a real prayer."
7. The drugs in the ambulance were awesome. Really awesome. They worked instantly and didn't make feel loopy. I was amazed.
8. Katrina drove in the ambulance with me. It was an another adventure. We like going on adventures together.
9. Timmy had called out sick that night because he was sick. So, all of his platoon buddies were working while we were at the hospital. They all came to check in on me. It was nice. They even reminded me of the last time Timmy and I were at the hospital together. It was two years earlier when Timmy broke his shoulder. I went into the medics' office and told them Timmy had broken his spatula :) At that moment, I knew I had said the wrong word but it was too late :) When Timmy's one co-worker walked in, I told him, "I broke my spatula."
10. Mark tried to visit me. He had heard about it from Joe; they were both at the Media Prom. Mark asked Barb if it was okay for him to leave to check in on me. She said yes. But unfortunately, he went to Riddle. That made sense - Riddle is the local hospital. But I wasn't there. We did get to speak on the phone, though.
11. The drugs at the hospital weren't as good as the ones in the ambulance. I turned to Katrina and said "this one makes me feel loopy." She laughed at me because I didn't have to tell her that; she already knew.
12. They needed a urine sample for a pregnancy test before they could do the x-ray. So Timmy and the nurse walked me to the bathroom. I told Timmy that I would try to do it myself and I would call out if I needed him. I called him in when I realized I couldn't zip my pants back up. So, he helped me with my pants and then proceeded to collect my urine sample. We walked out together and he handed the sample to the nurse. She said something like "oh, you took care of it already." His response: "Yeah, if anyone should deal with her urine, it should be me." I instantly thought, "so this is what in sickness and in health means." He's wiling to deal with pee :)
That's what I really remember from that night. I remember all the people who were concerned for me and cared me: Timmy and Katrina who stayed by my side. Joe and Dave whose first thoughts were to pray for me. Mark and Marti who couldn't wait and had to call us. Mary who was being a good mom and worrying at home. Timmy's friends who checked in. I felt loved.
12 May 2010
Things I Got From My Parents
Tonight I had cherry jello with vanilla ice cream. I got that from my dad. Well, not exactly. I grew up watching my dad eat cherry jello with milk poured over it. I haven't had that since I was a teenager, but lately that's been sounding really good. So, tonight, since I don't drink whole milk anymore, I thought vanilla ice cream stirred until it was soft would be an acceptable substitute. It was.
From my mother, I picked up the habit of dropping an egg into a boiling pot of Lipton Noodle Soup. Ah, man that is one of my favorites. This winter (and spring), I had that as least once a week, more like twice. I also discovered that when I am out of Lipton soup, Ramen is a decent substitute. I've had that so much the last few months, that my teeth hurt now when I have it. I'm going to have to switch to Sensodyne because there is no way I am giving up my chicken noodle soup with an egg.
Other things I got from my parents: I bite my tongue when I'm angry like my dad and I regularly get an itch to watch Shirley Temple and Chuck Norris like my mom.
From my mother, I picked up the habit of dropping an egg into a boiling pot of Lipton Noodle Soup. Ah, man that is one of my favorites. This winter (and spring), I had that as least once a week, more like twice. I also discovered that when I am out of Lipton soup, Ramen is a decent substitute. I've had that so much the last few months, that my teeth hurt now when I have it. I'm going to have to switch to Sensodyne because there is no way I am giving up my chicken noodle soup with an egg.
Other things I got from my parents: I bite my tongue when I'm angry like my dad and I regularly get an itch to watch Shirley Temple and Chuck Norris like my mom.
27 April 2010
Old School
When Timmy and I became engaged, he decided that if he would be occasionally driving my car two things would have to change. First, my car needed EZ-PASS, no more scavenging for coins. Second, my car needed a CD player, no more ancient cassettes. So, my fiance added my car to his EZ-PASS account and he bought me a new stereo. I have been very grateful for both.
However, there are times when I miss my cassettes. I miss the music and the memories they carried. So every now and then, I give in and buy a cd of a cassette I once owned. And it is giving in because I'm cheap and don't want to buy again what I already bought. Last year, I tracked down two cds by a latin worship artist because she sang a few of the songs that I first learned when I became a Christian. When I feel spiritually low, those are some of the songs I want to hear the most. So, I gave in and bought the cds. This weekend I gave in again. I bought Color Me Badd's "Time and Chance". Man, I love that CD. It's my theory no music will sound as good to you as the music you loved when you were a kid. The next on my list is to buy Tevin Campbell's "I'm Ready." Oh man, I love that cd so much too!! I was planning on downloading it the same time as CMB, but I'm having iTunes issues. And yes, when I say "buy a cd," I mean download it from iTunes. Does anyone besides my husband still buy cds? So, yeah, Tevin Campbell is definitely next and I'm sure, at some point, I'll have to get Taylor Dayne's "Tell It To My Heart." I really miss that one too.
However, there are times when I miss my cassettes. I miss the music and the memories they carried. So every now and then, I give in and buy a cd of a cassette I once owned. And it is giving in because I'm cheap and don't want to buy again what I already bought. Last year, I tracked down two cds by a latin worship artist because she sang a few of the songs that I first learned when I became a Christian. When I feel spiritually low, those are some of the songs I want to hear the most. So, I gave in and bought the cds. This weekend I gave in again. I bought Color Me Badd's "Time and Chance". Man, I love that CD. It's my theory no music will sound as good to you as the music you loved when you were a kid. The next on my list is to buy Tevin Campbell's "I'm Ready." Oh man, I love that cd so much too!! I was planning on downloading it the same time as CMB, but I'm having iTunes issues. And yes, when I say "buy a cd," I mean download it from iTunes. Does anyone besides my husband still buy cds? So, yeah, Tevin Campbell is definitely next and I'm sure, at some point, I'll have to get Taylor Dayne's "Tell It To My Heart." I really miss that one too.
25 April 2010
I'm Putting My Foot Down...
Below is an open letter to my friends and family. I hope you'll consider joining me:
- - - - -
So here I am doing something I have never done before, but I feel God saying, “give it a try.” Over the last few years, my church Blue Route Vineyard has entered into relationship with Love146, an organization committed to the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation through prevention and aftercare. It’s an issue that makes us sick to our stomachs and a cause worth supporting. Wouldn’t we do just about anything if it were our daughter or our sister or our niece who was trapped in this devastating and disgusting life?
During the months of May and June, I will join Love146 in their Tread on Trafficking campaign. People from around the country will be putting the miles they run, walk, and swim to work by raising money for Love146 and the people they serve. Some of you might know that last fall, I joined the local YMCA and for the first time in my life, I find myself regularly exercising, mostly on the treadmill and the elliptical. When I heard about this new campaign, I thought, “why not? I’m racking up miles anyway. I might as well ask my friends and family to support me.” The more I thought about it, the more I felt God was encouraging me to give it a try. So here I am asking for your support. Perhaps together we can do a small part in the work to the end sexual slavery.
There are few ways you can support me, Love146, and the children effected:
1: PRAY: if you are praying person, pray that human trafficking ends. Pray there will be a time when Love146 doesn’t have to exist anymore. Pray for the complete restoration of the survivors.
2: RUN: Or walk. Or swim. Consider joining us in making your miles count toward a better life for survivors of child slavery. For more information on how to join, visit my page through the link below and click on “Register.” You can start your own team, join as an individual person, or join a preexisting team. You’re welcome to join Team BRV. Even if you don’t go to BRV, we’d love to have you.
3: GIVE: Sponsor me in my effort to raise $500 for Love146. Or if you want to challenge me, sponsor each of my miles. 50 cents a mile? A dollar a mile? Maybe more? I can tell you now that I run/walk at least five miles a week. That’s 40 miles over the course of this eight-week campaign. But if you’re willing to give per mile, I’m willing to push myself in the gym like never before. To give, visit my page through the link below. To sponsor my miles, call or email me. At the end of June, I’ll let you know how many miles I did and then you can give your gift to Love146.
Thank you for reading this letter and for learning about what I hope to do. If anything, I hope you stopped to consider the terrible reality that child sexual slavery does exist and it needs to end.
Melissa Kaiser
Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Love 146
******************************************************************************
Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://Love146.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=346822&u=346822-230722069&e=3344178596
******************************************************************************
- - - - -
So here I am doing something I have never done before, but I feel God saying, “give it a try.” Over the last few years, my church Blue Route Vineyard has entered into relationship with Love146, an organization committed to the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation through prevention and aftercare. It’s an issue that makes us sick to our stomachs and a cause worth supporting. Wouldn’t we do just about anything if it were our daughter or our sister or our niece who was trapped in this devastating and disgusting life?
During the months of May and June, I will join Love146 in their Tread on Trafficking campaign. People from around the country will be putting the miles they run, walk, and swim to work by raising money for Love146 and the people they serve. Some of you might know that last fall, I joined the local YMCA and for the first time in my life, I find myself regularly exercising, mostly on the treadmill and the elliptical. When I heard about this new campaign, I thought, “why not? I’m racking up miles anyway. I might as well ask my friends and family to support me.” The more I thought about it, the more I felt God was encouraging me to give it a try. So here I am asking for your support. Perhaps together we can do a small part in the work to the end sexual slavery.
There are few ways you can support me, Love146, and the children effected:
1: PRAY: if you are praying person, pray that human trafficking ends. Pray there will be a time when Love146 doesn’t have to exist anymore. Pray for the complete restoration of the survivors.
2: RUN: Or walk. Or swim. Consider joining us in making your miles count toward a better life for survivors of child slavery. For more information on how to join, visit my page through the link below and click on “Register.” You can start your own team, join as an individual person, or join a preexisting team. You’re welcome to join Team BRV. Even if you don’t go to BRV, we’d love to have you.
3: GIVE: Sponsor me in my effort to raise $500 for Love146. Or if you want to challenge me, sponsor each of my miles. 50 cents a mile? A dollar a mile? Maybe more? I can tell you now that I run/walk at least five miles a week. That’s 40 miles over the course of this eight-week campaign. But if you’re willing to give per mile, I’m willing to push myself in the gym like never before. To give, visit my page through the link below. To sponsor my miles, call or email me. At the end of June, I’ll let you know how many miles I did and then you can give your gift to Love146.
Thank you for reading this letter and for learning about what I hope to do. If anything, I hope you stopped to consider the terrible reality that child sexual slavery does exist and it needs to end.
Melissa Kaiser
Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Love 146
******************************************************************************
Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://Love146.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=346822&u=346822-230722069&e=3344178596
******************************************************************************
17 April 2010
An Anniversary
This past Tuesday, April 13, 2010, I celebrated my 13th anniversary with Jesus. I made a comment on Facebook marking the day. A girlfriend of mine made a comment about how I'm the only person she knows who continually remembers that day. I've been thinking about that statement and my response, "why wouldn't I?" Most people I know would be appalled to have their birthday forgotten or not acknowledged. A wife would be heartbroken if her husband forgot their wedding anniversary or just chose to ignore it. Why wouldn't my day with God be the same? Now I understand some people don't have a clear day like I do. For some people it was a decision that was expected or not very much a surprise. For me, it was single-handedly the most defining moment of my life. I knew it that day and still know it now. So, every year I will mark my special day with Jesus and every year I will remember how God completely changed my life and the path I was walking and every year I will be grateful for his mercy and protection and every year I will humbled that he chose me.
"Lord, you are the kind of king that I will call my own
I love your dominion, your everlasting throne
Lord, you are the kind of king in whom my heart will joy
For my eyes have seen the beauty of my king"
Beauty of my King, Seth Parks
"Lord, you are the kind of king that I will call my own
I love your dominion, your everlasting throne
Lord, you are the kind of king in whom my heart will joy
For my eyes have seen the beauty of my king"
Beauty of my King, Seth Parks
13 April 2010
Who Do You Think You Are?
Who Do You Think You Are? is a new tv show. Each episode is a different celebrity and we follow them as they trace back their ancestors. Ancestry.com plays a huge role in bringing the show. I'm pretty sure it can't be a coincidence this is airing while the government is trying to get everyone to fill out their census form. But you know what, I really like this show. It makes me want to know more about my family. It makes me want to document what I do know for the generations that follow.
My family is really...difficult. On my mom's side, I don't know all my aunts and uncles. I don't know all my cousins. There are so many. So many divorces and babies born out of wedlock. Just lots of things that make a Luciano family tree really complicated. The Rolon side is a little cleaner but not my dad's branch. My junior year of college, I took a Christian Marriage and Family class. One of our assignments was to do a family tree. I thought, "you have no clue what you're asking me to do." The assignment ended up being the most memorable of my four years. It was also heartbreaking and infuriating. Growing up, my family just felt...I don't even know how to express my feelings.
Timmy's family, on the other hand, is so normal. Mom and Dad love each other. They've been married for 35 years, I think. They have two kids. Each are happily married. Grandmom lives with mom and dad. Pop-pop works at the family business and lives a few minutes down the road. Pop-pop can share the craziest stories of the Kaiser family. Stories like how his grandfather was one of the men who helped establish Folcroft, the town I currently live in. Pop-pop can drive through town and tell you how it used to be and why it's the way it is now. He can tell you where the Kaiser farm used to be and why that one street is named Kaiser Lane. The Kaisers have deep, deep roots in this community and it's one of the things I love most about being a Kaiser. I feel stable with the Kaisers. I think that's what I don't feel most with the Lucianos and Rolons. I lack feelings of stability and of home and permanence. Don't get me wrong, I love the Lucianos and Rolons, but with both sides I felt a little out of place. I still do, I think.
All this to say, I really like this show and it's making me seriously consider joining Ancestry.com. I would love to make more sense of the Lucianos and Rolons. I'd love to document all that information that we do know about the Kaisers. I want to have it for my children and their children and their children's children. And I'd like to have it for me.
My family is really...difficult. On my mom's side, I don't know all my aunts and uncles. I don't know all my cousins. There are so many. So many divorces and babies born out of wedlock. Just lots of things that make a Luciano family tree really complicated. The Rolon side is a little cleaner but not my dad's branch. My junior year of college, I took a Christian Marriage and Family class. One of our assignments was to do a family tree. I thought, "you have no clue what you're asking me to do." The assignment ended up being the most memorable of my four years. It was also heartbreaking and infuriating. Growing up, my family just felt...I don't even know how to express my feelings.
Timmy's family, on the other hand, is so normal. Mom and Dad love each other. They've been married for 35 years, I think. They have two kids. Each are happily married. Grandmom lives with mom and dad. Pop-pop works at the family business and lives a few minutes down the road. Pop-pop can share the craziest stories of the Kaiser family. Stories like how his grandfather was one of the men who helped establish Folcroft, the town I currently live in. Pop-pop can drive through town and tell you how it used to be and why it's the way it is now. He can tell you where the Kaiser farm used to be and why that one street is named Kaiser Lane. The Kaisers have deep, deep roots in this community and it's one of the things I love most about being a Kaiser. I feel stable with the Kaisers. I think that's what I don't feel most with the Lucianos and Rolons. I lack feelings of stability and of home and permanence. Don't get me wrong, I love the Lucianos and Rolons, but with both sides I felt a little out of place. I still do, I think.
All this to say, I really like this show and it's making me seriously consider joining Ancestry.com. I would love to make more sense of the Lucianos and Rolons. I'd love to document all that information that we do know about the Kaisers. I want to have it for my children and their children and their children's children. And I'd like to have it for me.
08 April 2010
Trust
I'm surrounded by a lot of questions, a lot of pain, a lot of doubt, a lot frustration, a lot of anger, a lot of emotions. Not me in particular, but people I love dearly are experiencing these intense and difficult emotions. We talk and I try to say something that consoles them. But at the end of every conversation, the same thing is said: "we have to trust God." I am thankful that God is so trustworthy. I have almost 13 years of God never failing me to cling to when things get tough. Thankfully, my loved ones going through trials also know God to always be faithful. But it seems the hard part is acknowledging that his faithfulness may not look the way we want to. For instance, my uncle. If he doesn't make it, that doesn't mean that God failed us. God is always faithful, always good, even if it doesn't look that way.
07 April 2010
Pizza
A large cheese pizza from Pizza Villa is on its way. If you've never had Pizza Villa in Glenolden, you're missing out. They have the best straight up plain pizza. It's something about the cheese. I can easily eat four slices but at PV, I can only do two. Any more and my stomach can't take it. But it's so good.
Other recommendations:
1. Italian Village in Folcroft has a good sicilian crust and Timmy loves the sausage.
2. Little Anthony's in Media has the best, best, best, sicilian marinara. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
3. If I want thin crust, I'll go to the Dominos chain. I like their thin crust with pepperoni.
4. When I don't care about feeling guilty and I really want a fun side, Pizza Hut with a side of their garlic parmesan wings.
Now, I'm really hungry.
Other recommendations:
1. Italian Village in Folcroft has a good sicilian crust and Timmy loves the sausage.
2. Little Anthony's in Media has the best, best, best, sicilian marinara. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
3. If I want thin crust, I'll go to the Dominos chain. I like their thin crust with pepperoni.
4. When I don't care about feeling guilty and I really want a fun side, Pizza Hut with a side of their garlic parmesan wings.
Now, I'm really hungry.
06 April 2010
Tio Johnny
My uncle Johnny isn't doing well. He's been fighting colon cancer for a couple of years. He had surgery yesterday and from what I've been able to piece together, it's not looking good. I saw him on Saturday. I'm glad I got to do that. It's been 1.5 years since I last saw him. He looked sick, but his spirits are so high. I don't like this feeling of not knowing, of waiting. I sent out an email to some friends and family asking for prayer and my brother Jimmy sent me a word of encouragement that really spoke to my heart. He said "whatever happens, it will be a miracle." That's so true. If he is healed, that will be a miracle. If he survives and lives with this disease, it will be a miracle. If he doesn't make it but instead stands before the throne of God, that will be the greatest of all miracles. We just celebrated Easter two days ago and today I am so grateful for Jesus' death and resurrection. How different we would all be feeling if there were no hope of resurrection for my uncle.
Thank you, Lord, because we have hope in you and in your resurrection.
Thank you, Lord, because we have hope in you and in your resurrection.
04 April 2010
The Things I Think Of
I was sitting at church last night. It was our first Easter Saturday service. Our pastor Mark was reading Scripture. And this was my thought: "Jesus was dead. Like dead dead. Like he died on Friday and rose again on Sunday. He was dead for a whole day. So what does that mean about the eternal nature of God?" This is how my brain thinks. It led to a little talk with Matthew, our youth guy, Eastern alum, and VLI student. Then another little talk with Matthew and Mark. Of course, I don't have any answers, just more thoughts.
27 March 2010
Grown-ups
I spoke to my sister Melody tonight. We were on the phone for over an hour catching up on life. At the end of the conversation, she said "can you believe the talk we just had?" It was a comment on the topics we discussed and I responded, "we are grown-ups with grown-up lives and grown-up issues." Melody asked, "when did that happen?" :)
25 March 2010
Who would have thought…
…that a good workout could leave me feeling hopeful. I ran for eleven minutes on the treadmill. That may not seem like a lot to most but for me, it’s huge. I called Timmy afterward and told him that it actually makes me think that maybe I’m not as out of shape as I feared. Or rather, maybe I can actually get into shape.
I feel as healthy as I ever have. I’m working out 3-4 days a week. I’m drinking more water, which makes me feel so much better. After several failed attempts, I’m actually in a routine of taking a daily multi-vitamin. I learned I’m lactose intolerant, which may not seem like a good thing but it’s nice to know why my stomach was so messed up. The only thing I really need to work on is eating better. I hate greens; I love grease.
But overall, I feel really good and it feels good to feel good. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am allowed to ask my body to do something. “Hey, let’s go for a walk with Jessie and not huff and puff.” “Let’s sprint up the stairs and not want to die.” And my body can actually oblige. When I first started working out, I was listening to the stats of heart disease on the radio and and I didn’t feel guilty because I knew I had started doing something about it. And now I can run on a treadmill. That’s progress and I’m so hopeful.
On a side note:
On my way from the gym, I was stopped at a red light on South Avenue when I heard sirens. I looked around for Timmy because I knew he was working close by. Then I saw him in his Crozer 100D medic car. The lights were flashing and the sirens blaring. He turned onto South Ave and drove past me. And I have to admit: I was turned on. My husband’s hot :)
I feel as healthy as I ever have. I’m working out 3-4 days a week. I’m drinking more water, which makes me feel so much better. After several failed attempts, I’m actually in a routine of taking a daily multi-vitamin. I learned I’m lactose intolerant, which may not seem like a good thing but it’s nice to know why my stomach was so messed up. The only thing I really need to work on is eating better. I hate greens; I love grease.
But overall, I feel really good and it feels good to feel good. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am allowed to ask my body to do something. “Hey, let’s go for a walk with Jessie and not huff and puff.” “Let’s sprint up the stairs and not want to die.” And my body can actually oblige. When I first started working out, I was listening to the stats of heart disease on the radio and and I didn’t feel guilty because I knew I had started doing something about it. And now I can run on a treadmill. That’s progress and I’m so hopeful.
On a side note:
On my way from the gym, I was stopped at a red light on South Avenue when I heard sirens. I looked around for Timmy because I knew he was working close by. Then I saw him in his Crozer 100D medic car. The lights were flashing and the sirens blaring. He turned onto South Ave and drove past me. And I have to admit: I was turned on. My husband’s hot :)
22 March 2010
A New Decade
In January, I turned 30. It's weird to think I'm thirty. I'm an adult, but I don't feel like an adult. Then again, I don't feel like a kid either. I feel like...me. I just feel like I've always felt. From the inside, I feel the same. It's from the outside world that I'm different. When I tell someone that I am thirty, they expect something from me: certain behavior, certain actions. I used to feel that way, but now, not so much. When I think of people older than me, I think they might feel the same way I do. They don't feel old. They don't feel like an adult. They're probably wondering how they ended up with four kids and a mortgage. I have a mortgage and I'm not sure how that happened. And this is the decade for me to have children and I'm kinda wigged out by that. And don't get me wrong, I want it all. I just thought I'd feel different.
No matter what happens though. I'm looking forward to this decade. I'm excited to see all that God does and all that he has for me and Timmy.
Lord, I thank you for my life. You've been so good to me. And I ask for more of you this decade. Because all I could really want for me and my family is more of you.
No matter what happens though. I'm looking forward to this decade. I'm excited to see all that God does and all that he has for me and Timmy.
Lord, I thank you for my life. You've been so good to me. And I ask for more of you this decade. Because all I could really want for me and my family is more of you.
Attempting to Return
Earlier this year, my brother Tom asked me what happened to the blog. Timmy and I just stopped doing it. I didn't have the energy to write or the inspiration to do so. Before I knew it, it was a year and a half since my last entry. But Tom suggested I start up again. He thinks that Facebook statuses are shallow and he misses the thought behind my entries. I've been thinking about that for the last couple of months and I think I'll like to try again. We'll see how it goes.
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