What is your calling?

That is the question put forth from the new Bible study that I joined this week.

What is my calling?

I’ll get back to you when I have a clue.

January 20, 2009- The Day That Changed The World

I’m writing this as I watch the President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama, begin the parade from the Capitol to the White House.  What a morning!  I’m a little ticked off at Chief Justice John Roberts for majorly screwing up the official swearing in, but that’s ok, I’m ticked at John Roberts for a lot these days. 

I cried a couple of times, because of the history of this day, I think.  I’m also so grateful that people like Georgia Congressman John Lewis was sitting right behind the President (ok tearing up again) to see this moment.  After being arrested and beaten during the 1960’s with Dr. King, Congressman Lewis has been my beacon of light and hope for quite some time. (again tearing up)

I’m going to go now to watch the parade.  And to Dr. King, I hope you know that there are many of us who are committed to making your dream possible.  We’re not quite there yet, but we’re going to keep on fighting and dreaming!

A Wisconsin Joke…

This was a forward to me, and I laughed very hard at the truthfulness of it.  Go Cheeseheads!

COLD IS A RELATIVE THING. . . . . . .

65 above zero:

Floridians turn on the heat

People in Wisconsin plant gardens.

 60 above zero:
 Californians shiver uncontrollably.
 People in Wisconsin sunbathe.

 50 above zero:
 Italian & English cars won’t start.
 People in Wisconsin drive with the windows down.

 40 above zero:
 Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
 People in Wisconsin throw on a flannel shirt.

 35 above zero:
 New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
 People in Wisconsin have the last cookout before it gets cold.

 20 above Zero
 People in Miami all die.
 Wisconsinites close the windows.

 Zero:
 Californians fly away to Mexico .
 People in Wisconsin get out their winter coats.

 10 below zero:
 Hollywood disintegrates.
 The Girl Scouts in Wisconsin are selling cookies door to door.

 20 below zero:
 Washington DC runs out of hot air.
 People in Wisconsin let the dogs sleep indoors.

 30 below zero:
 Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
 Wisconsinites get upset because they can’t start the Snow-mobile.

 40 below zero:
 ALL atomic motion stops.
 People in Wisconsin start saying…’Cold enough fer ya?’

 50 below zero:
 Hell freezes over.
 Wisconsin public schools will open 2 hours late

2009 Resolutions Continued

I did my resolutions after midnight and realized that I only had one resolution, which was to

1) Read C.S. Lewis

I would like to add the following resolutions:

2) Be a part of my cousins’ lives more.  Be it via e-mail, IM, phone calls, visits, whatever.  The kids are getting bigger and I absolutely loved spending time with them.

3) Work on worrying less about things that I have absolutely no control over.  Worrying gets me nowhere.  I could spend my time on so much more positive things.

4) Be more present in regards to practicing my faith.  I live my life as a woman of faith, but sometimes, I don’t spend my time with the community of believers.  I miss going to church and worshipping with others.

Happy 2009!!

While ringing in the New Year, I asked many of my friends what kinds of resolutions they were making for the upcoming year.  One friend is going to try and be more fiscally responsible, another to study the works of German philosophers.  Another, simply wants to read better.  So I pulled up my resolutions from last year to see how I did

2007 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS  1)  I am going to organize my house by taking big bags and simply throwing out all the junk that I’ve accumulated over the years.  Take stuff to the Salvation Army that can be reused and recycle paper and plastics.  Great in theory and if I could ever get this system going, I would have a much cleaner and more organized home.  Ultimately not accomplished.

2) Continue faithfully on the diet that I’m on.  (This is a big one, because I didn’t do so well in 2007.)  After being diagnosed with pneumonia three days into the new year, and being put on strong medications over the year, I’m just happy to be eating healthy.

3) Go to the gym as often as I am able.  Happyto report that I am successful with this.  I joined the local YMCA and began to lap swim.  Score 1 for KMH.

4) Keep a positive attitude.  (Some days this is easier said than done.)  Again, this is a success.  Even with all of the health problems, I think I have generally been a kinder, gentler, and much more happy person!

5) Keep working towards (and praying for) peace and justice in the world.  Something that will continue into the future.

SO WHAT ARE MY RESOLUTIONS FOR 2008

This year I’m going to challenge myself a little bit.

1) I am going to read 3 books by C.S. Lewis

“The Screwtape Letters”:  In this humorous and perceptive exchange between two devils, C. S. Lewis delves into moral questions about good vs. evil, temptation, repentance, and grace. Through this wonderful tale, the reader emerges with a better understanding of what it means to live a faithful life.

“Mere Christianity”:  A forceful and accessible discussion of Christian belief that has become one of the most popular introductions to Christianity and one of the most popular of Lewis’s books. Uncovers common ground upon which all Christians can stand together.

“The Problem of Pain”:  Why must humanity suffer? In this elegant and thoughtful work, C. S. Lewis questions the pain and suffering that occur everyday and how this contrasts with the notion of a God that is both omnipotent and good. An answer to this critical theological problem is found within these pages.