I had another interview yesterday with John Friot, Channel 7 News. See here to view the interview.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
News10Now Appearance
Visit the News10Now website to view my interview with them about the Tribe's biodiesel project.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
More Media Opportunities
The Tribe and Clarkson University released a press release about our biodiesel project. Since then, I've been flooded with phone calls from local newspapers and TV stations.
I was interviewed by a local CBS station from Burlington, VT earlier this week. They also shot footage of our garbage truck in operation. News 10 Now and Channel 7 news have also been in contact with me. They both want to interview me and shoot footage of our truck and transfer station sometime next week.
Who said that the garbage business wasn't exciting? One of the aspects that I like most about my job is the variety of duties that I get to perform. One day I find myself being interviewed for a TV show and the next day I could be tossing garbage bags into the truck. It doesn't get any better than this!
I was interviewed by a local CBS station from Burlington, VT earlier this week. They also shot footage of our garbage truck in operation. News 10 Now and Channel 7 news have also been in contact with me. They both want to interview me and shoot footage of our truck and transfer station sometime next week.
Who said that the garbage business wasn't exciting? One of the aspects that I like most about my job is the variety of duties that I get to perform. One day I find myself being interviewed for a TV show and the next day I could be tossing garbage bags into the truck. It doesn't get any better than this!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Shopping Fun
I spent part of yesterday shopping for a garbage truck.
This is exciting for me and my staff. There are so many options to choose from, but I think we've narrowed it down: 4x4 a must; Chevy chasis-yes; dual steering wheels-absolutely; 21 cubic yard box-you bet; and power everything-most definitely. Color-who cares as long as we can pack as much garbage in as we can.
This is exciting for me and my staff. There are so many options to choose from, but I think we've narrowed it down: 4x4 a must; Chevy chasis-yes; dual steering wheels-absolutely; 21 cubic yard box-you bet; and power everything-most definitely. Color-who cares as long as we can pack as much garbage in as we can.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Film Making "Building me the Future!"
I spent three days this past week with Rich (camera man) and Drew (sound man) filming footage for a documentary that will possibly appear on PBS and the Discovery Channel. The documentary is about the biodiesel project that I manage for the Tribe.
What is biodiesel? It is alternative fuel that is made from used vegetable oil (UVO) that can be used in engines that use conventional diesel fuel. The Tribe is working with Clarkson University in designing and manufacturing a biodiesel production system that will make biodiesel from UVO from the Tribe’s casino. The intent is to use the biodiesel to fuel the Tribe’s garbage trucks and other diesel operated equipment at the Tribe’s transfer station.
The project is partially funded by Engineer Without Borders (EWB). EWB is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. EWB is currently providing funding for 30 projects worldwide and selected a total of 3 projects to be filmed for the documentary. The Tribe’s project is the only one in the United States that was selected to be part of the documentary.
Spending three days with Rich and Drew was exciting, exhausting, and interesting. Rich and Drew have been in the film making business a long time and have many film making stories. They have worked with some well-known actors: Anthony Hopkins and Donald Sutherland to name a few. They have spent nine weeks living in tents on Devon Island in the High Canadian Artic filming a picture about life on Mars; Rich brings a polar bear tooth with him on all his filming assignments that he got on this trip. I must admit the tooth is impressive and larger than I ever thought a polar bear tooth would be. Rich has won an Academy-Award for filming “A Story of Healing”, a documentary about doctors of Interplast who volunteer their time and skills to change the lives of children with deformities.
Rich and Drew were fun to be around and I truly enjoyed hanging out with them. They sure know their business and I felt very comfortable having a camera in my face many times throughout the three days of filming. They will be back at least two more times in the next year to get more footage.
I am honored and humbled that the Tribe’s project was selected to be part of the documentary. I am truly thankful to God for all the recent media opportunities that have been opened to me. Who knows what God has next for me….maybe an appearance on Oprah :).
What is biodiesel? It is alternative fuel that is made from used vegetable oil (UVO) that can be used in engines that use conventional diesel fuel. The Tribe is working with Clarkson University in designing and manufacturing a biodiesel production system that will make biodiesel from UVO from the Tribe’s casino. The intent is to use the biodiesel to fuel the Tribe’s garbage trucks and other diesel operated equipment at the Tribe’s transfer station.
The project is partially funded by Engineer Without Borders (EWB). EWB is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. EWB is currently providing funding for 30 projects worldwide and selected a total of 3 projects to be filmed for the documentary. The Tribe’s project is the only one in the United States that was selected to be part of the documentary.
Spending three days with Rich and Drew was exciting, exhausting, and interesting. Rich and Drew have been in the film making business a long time and have many film making stories. They have worked with some well-known actors: Anthony Hopkins and Donald Sutherland to name a few. They have spent nine weeks living in tents on Devon Island in the High Canadian Artic filming a picture about life on Mars; Rich brings a polar bear tooth with him on all his filming assignments that he got on this trip. I must admit the tooth is impressive and larger than I ever thought a polar bear tooth would be. Rich has won an Academy-Award for filming “A Story of Healing”, a documentary about doctors of Interplast who volunteer their time and skills to change the lives of children with deformities.
Rich and Drew were fun to be around and I truly enjoyed hanging out with them. They sure know their business and I felt very comfortable having a camera in my face many times throughout the three days of filming. They will be back at least two more times in the next year to get more footage.
I am honored and humbled that the Tribe’s project was selected to be part of the documentary. I am truly thankful to God for all the recent media opportunities that have been opened to me. Who knows what God has next for me….maybe an appearance on Oprah :).
Monday, January 29, 2007
Acts of Kindness
I decided to stop at one of my favorite dining establishments on the way home from a friend's house last night.
I pulled my car into the parking lot and noticed that a man was laying in a snow bank with other people hovering over him. I parked my car and quickly grabbed my wool blanket that I keep in the car and placed it over the man. The man in the snow bank was large in stature and I quickly learned from the others that he had slipped and fell on some ice. One of the waitresses from the restrauant was cutting his pant leg and I surmised that she was a also a member of a rescue squad since she had an EMT bag with her. I noticed that cold snow was holding the man's head and thought that must be cold on his head. I walked back to my car, grabbed my spare work pants, and walked back to the man. I said "lift your head up and I'll place these pants under your head so that your head won't be so cold." He looked up at me and said "who are you and you're so nice to care." His eyes told me how shocked he was that a total stranger would care enough to make sure that he was warm as he laid there. The ambulance came and off to the hospital he went.
In situations like I found myself in last night, I often ask "how would I like to be treated if I were in the same situation and what would Jesus have me do?" This question always leads me to show acts of kindness and help someone in need if I have the means to. After all, isn't this what Jesus did when he walked the earth and wouldn't He want me to do the same?
I pulled my car into the parking lot and noticed that a man was laying in a snow bank with other people hovering over him. I parked my car and quickly grabbed my wool blanket that I keep in the car and placed it over the man. The man in the snow bank was large in stature and I quickly learned from the others that he had slipped and fell on some ice. One of the waitresses from the restrauant was cutting his pant leg and I surmised that she was a also a member of a rescue squad since she had an EMT bag with her. I noticed that cold snow was holding the man's head and thought that must be cold on his head. I walked back to my car, grabbed my spare work pants, and walked back to the man. I said "lift your head up and I'll place these pants under your head so that your head won't be so cold." He looked up at me and said "who are you and you're so nice to care." His eyes told me how shocked he was that a total stranger would care enough to make sure that he was warm as he laid there. The ambulance came and off to the hospital he went.
In situations like I found myself in last night, I often ask "how would I like to be treated if I were in the same situation and what would Jesus have me do?" This question always leads me to show acts of kindness and help someone in need if I have the means to. After all, isn't this what Jesus did when he walked the earth and wouldn't He want me to do the same?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Fire Up Club Report
The Fire Up Club has been meeting for the past four weeks. The membership continues to grow every week; there are now 32 ladies making lifestyle changes in order to live healthy today and in the future.
A couple nights ago I received a call from a member. She was excited to share with me a testimony about what God is doing in her life through the Fire Up Club. This member agreed to write about it so that I could post it to the Fire Up Club blog.
I posted her testimony just a few minutes ago. Click on the Fire Up Club link above or to the right to read about it. Check it out since I think that you'll be inspired by her story.
A couple nights ago I received a call from a member. She was excited to share with me a testimony about what God is doing in her life through the Fire Up Club. This member agreed to write about it so that I could post it to the Fire Up Club blog.
I posted her testimony just a few minutes ago. Click on the Fire Up Club link above or to the right to read about it. Check it out since I think that you'll be inspired by her story.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Close Calls
I spend about 50% of my time traveling the highways of the north country in my Toyota Prius. My defensive driving classes have taught me to always expect the unexpected to happen when driving. I'm glad that I had this knowledge this morning.
I was traveling back from the transfer station to my main office. I was about to go around a curve in the road when something caught my eye. On the bend of the road, there was a truck pulling a trailer and another car pulled over on the opposite shoulder of the road. My initial thoughts "strange place to be pulled over, they are not completely off the road, I better slow down." I began applying gentle pressure on my brakes when all of sudden I saw another vehicle passing them in my lane. It was an tractor-trailer heading straight for me. I quickly applied more pressure on my brakes and began to map out my escape route to avoid a head-on collision. After a few seconds, I determined that the tractor-trailer would get by me without hitting me and it did; sigh of relief!!
I'd be lying to say that I didn't have a few thoughts like "this is it for me, good bye world, and hello Jesus." I'm so thankful that it didn't turn out this way, but it brought me comfort knowing where I'm going to spend eternity when my time does come to depart this world. How do I know? I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ His son. The Bible promises me that I'll spend eternity in heaven because of my faith in Jesus.
I thank God everyday for giving me Jesus so that I can spend eternity with Him in heaven. Jesus you're the best gift that I've ever received and I look forward to seeing You one day in heaven.
I was traveling back from the transfer station to my main office. I was about to go around a curve in the road when something caught my eye. On the bend of the road, there was a truck pulling a trailer and another car pulled over on the opposite shoulder of the road. My initial thoughts "strange place to be pulled over, they are not completely off the road, I better slow down." I began applying gentle pressure on my brakes when all of sudden I saw another vehicle passing them in my lane. It was an tractor-trailer heading straight for me. I quickly applied more pressure on my brakes and began to map out my escape route to avoid a head-on collision. After a few seconds, I determined that the tractor-trailer would get by me without hitting me and it did; sigh of relief!!
I'd be lying to say that I didn't have a few thoughts like "this is it for me, good bye world, and hello Jesus." I'm so thankful that it didn't turn out this way, but it brought me comfort knowing where I'm going to spend eternity when my time does come to depart this world. How do I know? I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ His son. The Bible promises me that I'll spend eternity in heaven because of my faith in Jesus.
I thank God everyday for giving me Jesus so that I can spend eternity with Him in heaven. Jesus you're the best gift that I've ever received and I look forward to seeing You one day in heaven.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Featured Reader - Nutrition Twins Newsletter
The Nutrition Twins have published their most recent newsletter. My weight loss story is featured in their newsletter and on their website.
Check here to see the story.
Check here to see the story.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Eating & Wearing Your Cake
My office held an open house this past week since we moved into a new building. All of the staff brought in food to serve our guests.
One staff member brought in a traditional strawberry filled cake. This is a cake that is loaded in the center with strawberry filling and is covered with a layers of white frosting. The cake was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
I was making my way around the table to put all those healthy snacks on my plate. I admired the cake with no intention of having a piece since I choose not to eat any desserts. As I was making my way around the table, I heard one of my colleagues say "Laura, you need a napkin since you wearing some of the cake." I looked down and my pants were covered with some of that delicious looking white frosting. I also got some on the bottom of my jacket. I quickly grabbed a napkin and began to remove the frosting my clothes. I also made a trip to the ladies room in hopes that some water would help to remove the frosting.
The lesson learned is that although I didn't eat the cake, I can still wear it whether I choose to or not. I told my co-workers this and they all laughed with me. It was a good laugh.
One staff member brought in a traditional strawberry filled cake. This is a cake that is loaded in the center with strawberry filling and is covered with a layers of white frosting. The cake was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
I was making my way around the table to put all those healthy snacks on my plate. I admired the cake with no intention of having a piece since I choose not to eat any desserts. As I was making my way around the table, I heard one of my colleagues say "Laura, you need a napkin since you wearing some of the cake." I looked down and my pants were covered with some of that delicious looking white frosting. I also got some on the bottom of my jacket. I quickly grabbed a napkin and began to remove the frosting my clothes. I also made a trip to the ladies room in hopes that some water would help to remove the frosting.
The lesson learned is that although I didn't eat the cake, I can still wear it whether I choose to or not. I told my co-workers this and they all laughed with me. It was a good laugh.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Going Shopping
I admit it...I like to shop. In particular, I love to shop for new clothes and I've shopped a lot this past year since I dropped by 5 sizes . It is fun to shop!
This year I also get to go shopping, but it is for something entirely different than clothes. I get to shop for a new garbage truck. You are probably saying "that doesn't sound exciting, who would want to do that?" My answer is a seasoned garbage professional like me.
There are so many options for me to consider: front-loading; rear-loading; side-loading; single versus multi compartment; dual steering versus single steering; engine size; etc. etc.
Perhaps when I'm shopping for a garbage truck this year, I'll come across some nice clothes that I can buy too. After all, a garbage professional like me needs to have matching clothes for my new garbage truck.
This year I also get to go shopping, but it is for something entirely different than clothes. I get to shop for a new garbage truck. You are probably saying "that doesn't sound exciting, who would want to do that?" My answer is a seasoned garbage professional like me.
There are so many options for me to consider: front-loading; rear-loading; side-loading; single versus multi compartment; dual steering versus single steering; engine size; etc. etc.
Perhaps when I'm shopping for a garbage truck this year, I'll come across some nice clothes that I can buy too. After all, a garbage professional like me needs to have matching clothes for my new garbage truck.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Fire Up Club
The birthing of the Fire Up Club came with the New Year.
What is the Fire Up Club? Simply put: it is a group to help ladies make lifestyle changes that allow them to live healthy today and in the future. I decided to create the group after several ladies in my church requested help regarding their weight.
To learn more, click on the link that is shown to the right under my links section.
Enjoy.
What is the Fire Up Club? Simply put: it is a group to help ladies make lifestyle changes that allow them to live healthy today and in the future. I decided to create the group after several ladies in my church requested help regarding their weight.
To learn more, click on the link that is shown to the right under my links section.
Enjoy.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Reflections about the Year 2006
One word describes my life for the year of 2006: transforming.
My physical transformation is the most obvious to people. I loss 42 pounds and have been maintaining my weight within 1 or 2 pounds.
I'm thankful for my physical transformation, but I'm more thankful for the work that the Lord has done in my soul, which is less obvious to people.
The people that are close to me know that God has been doing a deep healing work in my soul, which has allowed me to draw closer to God. It has not always been an easy road to walk this year, but God has always been with me and has used many of you to help me along the way. I won't mention names, but you all know who you are and I'm forever grateful for your friendship and love.
I'm sure that the transformation work will continue in 2007, but I also sense that God is bringing me into a new season. A season where I will pour out into the lives of others. My only prayer is that in my pouring out that people will be touched by God's deep love for them and His transforming power.
My physical transformation is the most obvious to people. I loss 42 pounds and have been maintaining my weight within 1 or 2 pounds.
I'm thankful for my physical transformation, but I'm more thankful for the work that the Lord has done in my soul, which is less obvious to people.
The people that are close to me know that God has been doing a deep healing work in my soul, which has allowed me to draw closer to God. It has not always been an easy road to walk this year, but God has always been with me and has used many of you to help me along the way. I won't mention names, but you all know who you are and I'm forever grateful for your friendship and love.
I'm sure that the transformation work will continue in 2007, but I also sense that God is bringing me into a new season. A season where I will pour out into the lives of others. My only prayer is that in my pouring out that people will be touched by God's deep love for them and His transforming power.
In concluding, let me share some of my most favorite posts with you for the year 2006:
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Sledding
After work yesterday, I made a trip to Malone, NY to visit good friends. My friends had emailed me earlier in the day and asked if I was interested in going sledding with their family. I said sure.
I was amazed to see that there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground in Malone since the rest of the north country that I traveled through all day had no snow. My friends shared that Malone always get snow.
We loaded the sleds into my car and the rest of my friend's family piled into her car. After making a side trip to drop off the neck strap to her daughter's saxaphone, we made our way to the sledding hills. I surveyed the two hills and decided to go down the smaller of the two. My first trip down found me rolling over sideways and getting lots of snow in my face. Somewhere from deep within my memory banks, I was beginning to remember what and what not to do when sledding; I recall rolling sideways can be prevented if I positioned myself right on the sled to begin with - it is just a matter of physics. My second trip down was perfect. Feeling the confidence build, I decided to walk up the big hill and make my first trip down the big one. I must admit I had second thoughts when I got to the top of the hill. I was amazed at how small my friends looked at the bottom of the hill. My friends encouraged me to launch ... so I did. What a blast!! I ended up going down the big hill about 8 times. It was great fun!
Our sledding outing ended with all of us throwing the light snow at each other; it sure did feel good going down the back of my neck.
If you're looking for some winter time fun, go to Malone since they have snow when no place else does.
I was amazed to see that there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground in Malone since the rest of the north country that I traveled through all day had no snow. My friends shared that Malone always get snow.
We loaded the sleds into my car and the rest of my friend's family piled into her car. After making a side trip to drop off the neck strap to her daughter's saxaphone, we made our way to the sledding hills. I surveyed the two hills and decided to go down the smaller of the two. My first trip down found me rolling over sideways and getting lots of snow in my face. Somewhere from deep within my memory banks, I was beginning to remember what and what not to do when sledding; I recall rolling sideways can be prevented if I positioned myself right on the sled to begin with - it is just a matter of physics. My second trip down was perfect. Feeling the confidence build, I decided to walk up the big hill and make my first trip down the big one. I must admit I had second thoughts when I got to the top of the hill. I was amazed at how small my friends looked at the bottom of the hill. My friends encouraged me to launch ... so I did. What a blast!! I ended up going down the big hill about 8 times. It was great fun!
Our sledding outing ended with all of us throwing the light snow at each other; it sure did feel good going down the back of my neck.
If you're looking for some winter time fun, go to Malone since they have snow when no place else does.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Presents
As a small child, I would always hurry to the tree on Christmas morning with excitement. I was truly amazed to find the number of presents that were under the tree for me. Over time, I lost the true meaning of Christmas since I thought it was all about the number of presents that I would get.
God brought back the true meaning of Christmas to me a few years ago. I was in San Diego visiting my brother, Wayne, during the month of December. Wayne and I went to his office one day. It was a long car ride and I made a visit to the ladies room when we arrived. As I was washing my hands, I noticed a Red Cross poster that had the following words printed on it: "What to Give? Give the gift of life. Give Blood." I stood there motionless as I read the words. The Lord began to show me the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is time for giving. It is nice to receive material gifts, but Jesus gave more than this; He gave His blood so that I may the gift of life and life more abundantly here on earth and in heaven. He did this out of His abundant love for me. This is the greatest Christmas present that I could receive.
I sometimes ask myself "What to give?" I now know to give the gift of life - give love. This is the greatest gift that I can give anyone during the Christmas season.
God brought back the true meaning of Christmas to me a few years ago. I was in San Diego visiting my brother, Wayne, during the month of December. Wayne and I went to his office one day. It was a long car ride and I made a visit to the ladies room when we arrived. As I was washing my hands, I noticed a Red Cross poster that had the following words printed on it: "What to Give? Give the gift of life. Give Blood." I stood there motionless as I read the words. The Lord began to show me the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is time for giving. It is nice to receive material gifts, but Jesus gave more than this; He gave His blood so that I may the gift of life and life more abundantly here on earth and in heaven. He did this out of His abundant love for me. This is the greatest Christmas present that I could receive.
I sometimes ask myself "What to give?" I now know to give the gift of life - give love. This is the greatest gift that I can give anyone during the Christmas season.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
December 19 - Woman's World Magazine
The December 19 issue of Woman's World Magazine is available beginning today. For those of you that don't know, the magazine interviewed me and sent a professional photographer to my house for a photo shoot; see here and here to learn more. The magazine said that they wanted to feature my story about my weight loss. As you can imagine, I have been anxiously waiting for the December 19 issue to come out.
I received my complimentary copies last week. I opened the envelope with much anticipation of reading the story and seeing my picture only to discover that the magazine decided to only use quotes from me. They decided to focus the story on how snacking helps you to loose weight and included pictures and 34 recipes of snacks that you can eat. If you get the magazine, the article appears on pages 20-21 and my quotes are near the end.
Although the direction that the magazine decided to take with the article is disappointing to me, I am thankful for the opportunity of being interviewed and participating in the professional photo shoot. I am more thankful for my success with loosing weight and being able to maintain my weight within 1 or 2 pounds since May. I never thought that I would be able to loose the weight, but I have and now it is time to help people do the same.
I'm starting a Fire Up Club at my church beginning in January. The purpose of the club is to create a community for ladies to loose weight and get healthy in a mentally supportive, emotionally safe, and spiritual encouraging environment.
I'll be teaching ladies the eating principles based on the book titled "Fire Up Your Metabolism" and help them to incorporate the principles into their eating. My vision statement for the club is "Changing Lifestyles...Living Healthy." Changing the way I eat and my relationship to food (lifestyle change) has allowed me to live a healthier life. My desire is to help other people do the same.
I received my complimentary copies last week. I opened the envelope with much anticipation of reading the story and seeing my picture only to discover that the magazine decided to only use quotes from me. They decided to focus the story on how snacking helps you to loose weight and included pictures and 34 recipes of snacks that you can eat. If you get the magazine, the article appears on pages 20-21 and my quotes are near the end.
Although the direction that the magazine decided to take with the article is disappointing to me, I am thankful for the opportunity of being interviewed and participating in the professional photo shoot. I am more thankful for my success with loosing weight and being able to maintain my weight within 1 or 2 pounds since May. I never thought that I would be able to loose the weight, but I have and now it is time to help people do the same.
I'm starting a Fire Up Club at my church beginning in January. The purpose of the club is to create a community for ladies to loose weight and get healthy in a mentally supportive, emotionally safe, and spiritual encouraging environment.
I'll be teaching ladies the eating principles based on the book titled "Fire Up Your Metabolism" and help them to incorporate the principles into their eating. My vision statement for the club is "Changing Lifestyles...Living Healthy." Changing the way I eat and my relationship to food (lifestyle change) has allowed me to live a healthier life. My desire is to help other people do the same.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
God's School of Wilderness
The Lord prompted me to pick up a book this past weekend that I had read several years ago. The book is written by Charles Swindoll and it is titled “Moses-A Man of Selfless Dedication.”
My eyes scanned the table of contents and saw the chapter titled “The Desert: School of Self-Discovery.” I turned to this chapter and began to read. Here are some of the paragraphs that grabbed my attention:
Apart from the desert experience, you and I might live out our lives without ever hearing or knowing what the God of the universe desires to tell us. The wilderness-like desert changes that. In that lonely place, you find
yourself stripped of all the things you hang on to for comfort – all the stuff you felt you needed through life but really didn’t need at all.
Why does God lead us through desert places? Let’s get the answer from Moses, who had advanced degrees from God’s School of Wilderness. It is so that He might humble us, that He might test us, and that the true condition of our heart might be revealed. Not that God might come to know you (He already does), but that you might come to know you. There’s nothing like the desert to help you discover the real you. When you strip away all the trappings, peel off the masks, and shed all the phony costumes, you begin to see a true
identity – a face that hasn’t emerged for years. Maybe never. That’s what the desert did for Moses. That is what it has done for me, in the wilderness sojourns of my own life. It will humble you. It will show you your strengths and weaknesses. It will help you discover yourself as never before.
God never puts us through the blast furnace in the desert to ruin us. He does it to refine us. And in the midst of that howling wilderness, through the process of time, the stinging sand bites through the rust and corrosion, and we become a usable tool in His hands.
There has been numerous times in my past when I have had the joyful experience of rubbing shoulders with men and women who have been tempered in such a desert. You can always tell – sometimes within moments – when you have met individuals so refined by God. They are some of the most secure, genuinely humble, gracious, honest individuals one can imagine. It took the desert to do it.
I don’t like being trained in God’s School of Wilderness, but I must agree with Charles it is a place where I discover conditions of my heart and allow God to show me things that need changing in my life. It is a place of self discovery for the very purposes of being refined so that God can use me to touch lives of others. And yes I want to have the fruit that results from being trained in God’s School of Wilderness: security, humbleness, graciousness, and honesty. For these reasons, I’ll keep going to God’s School of Wilderness when needed. How about you, will you go too? Just think, maybe we can be in some of the same classes and help each other out.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Discovering the Peace of Christmas
I attended a Women In Ministry (WIM) event today at my church. The theme was focused on discovering the peace of Christmas.
The guest speaker shared that discovering the peace of Christmas is found by discovering the peace of who we are in Christ and that we always have a home in God. This is a place where we are accepted just as we are.
The home concept awakened my heart since just recently the Lord spoke to me about my home, or that place where I'm accepted just as I am.
On my recent trip to California, my brother and his wife talked a lot about me moving to California. I began to think what my life would be like there: I could easily find a job; it would be great living near my brother and his wife; there are certainly a lot of things to keep me entertained there; the weather is great; etc. etc. I guess I didn't realize how serious I was considering a move to California until I came home.
I was sitting in my living room Tuesday night sipping on a cup of coffee and listening to my favorite music. It was during this time that the Lord spoke these words "you are home, where you belong." I began to be filled with God's peace like never before; a peace that I can't find words to describe what it felt like. I just know that God confirmed to my heart that I'm home. I can truly say that this is a place where I truly feel accepted and loved in spite of my weaknesses and shortcomings.
Home is a great place to be! I wouldn't want to be any place else. Thank you Lord for showing me where my home is and discovering the peace of Christmas.
The guest speaker shared that discovering the peace of Christmas is found by discovering the peace of who we are in Christ and that we always have a home in God. This is a place where we are accepted just as we are.
The home concept awakened my heart since just recently the Lord spoke to me about my home, or that place where I'm accepted just as I am.
On my recent trip to California, my brother and his wife talked a lot about me moving to California. I began to think what my life would be like there: I could easily find a job; it would be great living near my brother and his wife; there are certainly a lot of things to keep me entertained there; the weather is great; etc. etc. I guess I didn't realize how serious I was considering a move to California until I came home.
I was sitting in my living room Tuesday night sipping on a cup of coffee and listening to my favorite music. It was during this time that the Lord spoke these words "you are home, where you belong." I began to be filled with God's peace like never before; a peace that I can't find words to describe what it felt like. I just know that God confirmed to my heart that I'm home. I can truly say that this is a place where I truly feel accepted and loved in spite of my weaknesses and shortcomings.
Home is a great place to be! I wouldn't want to be any place else. Thank you Lord for showing me where my home is and discovering the peace of Christmas.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Cockroach Patrol
I flew the red eye flight from LA to Chicago on Monday night. The flight departed LA at 11:10 PM (PST) and arrived 3 hours later in Chicago. I slept the whole flight. The only thing that woke me up was the announcement from the pilot that we were 40 miles from the airport and that we would be landing in 15 minutes. I was truly amazed since it seemed like we had just departed LA.
Not much was happening at Chicago O'Hara airport at 4:30 AM. There were a few shops and restaurants open. It was not the hustle and bustle of activity that I was accustomed to, but I did have an interesting experience while I was waiting to board my plane for Syracuse.
My carry on bag was between my feet and I was using it as a table to hold my Bible. I was leaning over reading my Bible when I saw something dash out from under my chair. It was an ugly bug and it was making its way towards my carry on bag. I lifted the bag and bug ran right by it. I'm so thankful that I saw the bug since it turned out to be a cockroach. It made its way to the seats that were across from me. There was a gentleman sitting on the end seat across from me. I kept a watchful eye on the cockroach to see where he would make his next move. Sure enough, he turned 90 degrees and started making his way towards the gentleman. I soon realized that the cockroach had every intention of climbing up the man's pant leg. You say, "how did I know this?" Answer: when the cockroach climbed on the man's shoe and seemed very interested in the bottom of his pant. I calmly said to the gentleman "Excuse me, sir, there is a bug on your shoe and you will want to get him off from you." The young lad looked up at me in a daze and said "what". I repeated myself and then he looked down at his feet. Horror filled his face when he saw the massive cockroach about ready to make his way up his leg. The man yelled "get him off from me!!" and began shaking his foot. The cockroach did fall off from him and ran to the other side of the airport. Another gentleman standing on there saw the cockroach and ran over and stepped on him.
The gentleman that was sitting across from me couldn't thank me enough for letting him know about the bug on his foot. He was relieved once he shook it off.
Lesson learned from this experience: be on cockroach patrol when you travel since you never know where one will appear.
Not much was happening at Chicago O'Hara airport at 4:30 AM. There were a few shops and restaurants open. It was not the hustle and bustle of activity that I was accustomed to, but I did have an interesting experience while I was waiting to board my plane for Syracuse.
My carry on bag was between my feet and I was using it as a table to hold my Bible. I was leaning over reading my Bible when I saw something dash out from under my chair. It was an ugly bug and it was making its way towards my carry on bag. I lifted the bag and bug ran right by it. I'm so thankful that I saw the bug since it turned out to be a cockroach. It made its way to the seats that were across from me. There was a gentleman sitting on the end seat across from me. I kept a watchful eye on the cockroach to see where he would make his next move. Sure enough, he turned 90 degrees and started making his way towards the gentleman. I soon realized that the cockroach had every intention of climbing up the man's pant leg. You say, "how did I know this?" Answer: when the cockroach climbed on the man's shoe and seemed very interested in the bottom of his pant. I calmly said to the gentleman "Excuse me, sir, there is a bug on your shoe and you will want to get him off from you." The young lad looked up at me in a daze and said "what". I repeated myself and then he looked down at his feet. Horror filled his face when he saw the massive cockroach about ready to make his way up his leg. The man yelled "get him off from me!!" and began shaking his foot. The cockroach did fall off from him and ran to the other side of the airport. Another gentleman standing on there saw the cockroach and ran over and stepped on him.
The gentleman that was sitting across from me couldn't thank me enough for letting him know about the bug on his foot. He was relieved once he shook it off.
Lesson learned from this experience: be on cockroach patrol when you travel since you never know where one will appear.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
I'm Home
I arrived home today from my long red-eye flight from LA last night. My flights were all on time and I landed in Syracuse at 10:15 AM EST. After stops in Cicero & Watertown, I got back to the cabin around 4:00 PM.
I have many stories to share about my trip home, but am too tired to write about them now. Check back in a day or so ... I certainly will be rested by then.
I have many stories to share about my trip home, but am too tired to write about them now. Check back in a day or so ... I certainly will be rested by then.
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