My Nerd

Not sure if I should be telling you this, but here it goes; Your father is a nerd. I have never met anyone like him. It's almost to the point of being an obsession, this nerdiness. And, every now and then, an obsession that he tries to hide from me.

A few months back, I realized that he was flying to San Francisco, again, to study Neuro-Chemistry. When I discovered that this was not just a one time thing, but a many months thing, I approached him. "Did we discuss this...that you would be investing lots of time, lots of money on this Neuro-Chem Fellowship?" I asked. He had a bit of a guilty look about him as he nodded vigorously, "Yes. Don't you remember?" Now, granted, I don't remember lots of things...But this?...You'd think I'd remember.

Then, seems like almost once a week, he will be getting ready to leave the house. "Where are you going?" I ask. "Don't you remember? I have a seminar on ________________________?" (I really am trying to recall any of those big words that should go on the line. But, I just can't.) "No. I don't remember," I reply. "I wrote it on the calendar," he says, again with that same guilty look. He runs over to the calendar (I think it's to pencil in his seminar, spur of that moment), and he shows me. "Hmmmmm...I guess I didn't see it there."

Dinner will be all ready, on the table, almost everyone in their places, ready to eat. Your dad will be at his computer, those ear bud thingys in his ears. Again, I go to him, use the best hand motions I can think of to get the message across that dinner is ready. He will glance up at me, a slightly irritated look on his face, hold up a finger to indicate that he will be there in a minute. Those can be some long minutes and cold dinners.

I think you may already know this. Some of my friends know. Lots of my family members know. I finally decided to tell him. "Did you know that you are a nerd?" He looks up from his books, puzzled look on his face. "But, you are the cutest nerd I have ever known!" He didn't get mad. He smiled.

Really, I have more respect for your dad than I do for anyone, ever. For many reasons, but one is that he is passionate about learning. Anything he can learn that will help him understand health, the human body, new ways in which to help his patients, he devours. Really, devours. And, though at times I wonder about this other love of his, I couldn't be more proud of my cute nerd!

Funny thing is, I think you three may have inherited this same passion for learning from me! Oops...I mean from your dad!

oxo~Mom

Slippers

Thursdays are my day. Maybe Fridays are Tricia's and Saturdays are Jeralyn's. I'm not sure of the order. I just know that Karen thought of it. Our "Slipper Group" each picked a day of the week to specifically be praying for Rebecca as she goes through her chemo treatments. Dear women, loving on my precious sister-in-law!

We have been together, some of us at least, for twenty six years. We have celebrated birthdays...once with kayaking in La Jolla Cove...once with a pedicab ride and a play downtown...once with wine tasting in Temecula (I think that was for my birthday)...but every time with lots of food, laughter and, every now and then, tears. We have hiked together, camped together, Bible studied together. We have been with each other through divorces, boyfriends, weddings, births, deaths, graduations, illnesses, job losses, and new jobs, and even a church split. And, through it all, when we are with one another, it is comfortable, cozy, warm...like my favorite slippers! I love these women!

Last Saturday, we sat in the backyard of Liz and Gary's home, after the memorial service for Annette and Liz's mom. What a special time of celebrating the life of this dear woman who loved Jesus whole-heartedly! Brian and Rebecca left shortly after the service, dealing with the grief of losing Kolbe the night before. Gary, Linda's husband and our newest addition, sat with us. Annette, though busy with the other guests, joined us a bit later, looking quite peaceful, knowing that her mom is finally at her true home and out of pain. We chatted, laughed, reminisced, sensed joy, pain, hope all at the same time...Life with my "Slipper Group"!

Happy

Happy Friday, G, A & N~

While coloring this morning, I came across some really cool sentences! Nick, really, there aren't too many words. So, hang in there.

I am reading "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life [76;v.873]". I have no idea what the 76 and v. 873 mean, but that's what I get for purchasing the cheapest copy of this book on Amazon. (One of the first sentences in the book is, "VTO thoughtful person can question the fact that, for 1 the most part, the Christian life, as it is generally lived, is not entirely a happy life." VTO? 1? Quite challenging to read an entire book like this. I sure hope I'm getting the right message.)

Anyway...back to a few sentences..."Abandoment...consecration...whatever word we use, we mean an entire surrender of the whole being to God,-spirit, soul, and body placed under His absolute control, for Him to do with us just what He pleases. We mean that the language of our hearts, under all circumstances and in view of every act, is to be 'Thy will be done.'...To a soul ignorant of God, this may look hard; but to those who know Him, it is the happiest and most restful of lives. He is our Father, and He loves us, and He knows just what is best, and therefore, of course, His will is the very most blessed thing that can come to us under any circumstances...Could we but for one moment get a glimpse into the mighty depths of His love, our hearts would spring out to meet His will and embrace it as our richest treasure; and we would abandon ourselves to it with an enthusiasm of gratitude and joy, that such a wondrous privilege could be ours...Better and sweeter than health, or friends, or money, or fame, or ease, or prosperity, is the adorable will of God...The first step you must take in order to enter into the life hid with Christ in God, is that of entire consecration...You must do it gladly, thankfully, enthusiastically. You must go in on what I call the privilege side of consecration; and I can assure you, from the universal testimony of all who have tried it, that you will find it the happiest place you have ever entered yet."

Greg, Ali and Nick, my prayer is that you will abandon yourselves to God, that you will rest in His will for your lives, and that you will discover the peace and joy that Jesus gives us in a life "hidden with Christ in God". (Col. 3:3)

Back to my coloring books,
oxo~Mom

ps~Greg, happy 1/2 marathon! And, yay, you had your first patient! Thanks for calling to tell me about your experience! Have I told you lately, I love it when you come home? ;-)

~Ali, are you feeling any better today? So wish you were here so I could baby you for a few days! Keep me posted on the job hunt. And, I have been praying for Megan. I love you, my Pooh! :-)

~Nick, okay, it was a little more than a few sentences. How's the water? You long boarding? Hope your ankle is feeling okay. Fun with Nate and Taylor last night? I miss you when you're gone! Our home is too quiet and clean. :-0

Gray

So...Outside it is beautiful! Clear, but, if anything like yesterday, a bit (California, not New York) chilly. And, here I am, hiding in my bedroom, sitting at my computer, jammies still on, back brace squeezing my middle section, reading glasses balancing close to the tip of my nose, hair sticking out all which ways, with this goop at the roots, trying to hide my gray. Quite the sight...

Depressing? Not really. For some reason, aging, so far, has not bothered me too much. Would I want to go back to my twenties? Heck no! Thirties. No. Forties. Definitely not. As my outer person wrinkles, grays, develops even more of a "muffin top", struggles with vision and hearing, feels aches and pains, has funky teeth things happening, my inner person is more content than ever!

The reason for this contentment? Jesus! As He continues to reveal Himself to me, I am sensing His peace and joy more than ever! As He does His work in me, I am experiencing healing in relationships! As I am understanding my true relationship to this world, my perspective (sometimes) has changed. In knowing that eternity is NOW for me, I am accepting (sometimes) what He has for me. Growing deeper into Him with each passing year, I say, "Bring it on!" (sometimes).

So, though I wouldn't be thrilled about others seeing me at this very moment, my heart is happy! I look forward to seeing what God has planned for me in this adventure of life on earth! Couldn't imagine walking it without Him!

Ali, Gregory, and Nick, my three most favorite young adults in the world, I pray that you embrace each year, each new season of your lives, whether challenging or smooth, with enthusiasm! That (as you, Ali, put it) you allow the indwelling Spirit to do His thing in you! That, rather than just knowing more about Jesus, you get to KNOW Him! That you learn to see God's hand in everything! That you experience lives that are filled to overflowing with the joy, peace and hope of our Jesus!!!

Love you to New York and back, Loma Linda and back, and that messy bedroom down the hall and back + infinity + one!!!~oxo

~"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." II Cor. 4:16

THE Answer

On my walk this morning, I passed St. Mark's Church. On the sign out front was:

"Jesus! That's my final answer."

Made me smile.

I blog. I'm a blogger.

A few Saturdays back....
Greg: Mornin', Mom. What have you been doing?
Me: I started a blog.
Greg: You don't even know how to work the DVD player. How did you know how to start a blog?

Then that Sunday....
Ali: You started a blog? But, Dad's not even home. How did you do it?
Me: I pushed lots of buttons.

And on Monday....
Nick: Hahahahaha (only without any sound).

Julia (via text): Just thought you should know that everyone can read your blog every day...Just thought you should know. Hahaha love you!
(Not sure which post caused her to think that I needed a warning.)
Me (via text): But who would want to? Love you!

Love you, my precious kids and niece!
oxo-Me

Nick is 20!

Happy 20th birthday, Nick!!!

Early on the morning of each birthday, my dear friend, Carol, would get a call from her dad. He would wish her a happy birthday and then go on to tell her all about the day she was born. He ended the call by telling her how much he loves her. I thought, "What a great idea!"

So, that is what I wanted to do for you this morning, Nick. I would love to tell you all about the day you were born. But...I don't remember. I was a mom of two other young children. I do remember being very tired. Dr. Johnson, the doctor who delivered you, told Dad and me, as it was getting close to midnight, that it was his birthday. We thought it would be cool for you to have the same birthday, so he sucked you out with this vacuum thingy. Crooked neck and all, I was THRILLED that you, who I had known and loved for the last nine months, were out, and I could now cuddle you in my arms!

What I do remember about you as a baby is that we were all crazy about you! Even Gregory and Ali accepted you like they would a new puppy. :-) For fear of neglecting you, as my third child, in the area of photos, I went crazy. So, though I can't recall many details, your childhood is chronicled in (very unorganized) pictures. Thank God!

Nick, you bring so much laughter and fun to our home! I have always found it interesting that you appear to be this easy-going type, yet you know how to step it up when you need to (perfectionism??) and do a great job at anything you attempt. I love how relationships are important to you. Your circle of friends is not big, but you value and invest in people. It means a lot to me that our family is very important to you. I love your soft heart for Jesus and the ease with which you share your thoughts about Him!

So, happy birthday, my sweet Nicky! I love you so much!
oxo-Mom