Reflective me and a phone call

My posts have been a bit reflective lately...more serious natured.
And that's okay...with the things that are on my heart, I could probably continue this reflective nature for another couple weeks. I've always been a thinker...by writing down things, it helps me focus and process my thoughts.

But my thoughts are not always weighty. I am an optimistic person and love finding humor in my day to day life. So instead of processing more thoughts over the next week or two, I am going to share more humor...or try to at least.

I had the funniest phone call yesterday that left me chuckling for a few hours...actually, I'm still chuckling. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this guy that I work with before. We have never met but have been phone friends for two years now?!? We get along so well and we make each other laugh.

My job never gets me out of the office except for one day a year. Every February, there is a food show in Seattle that our office goes to and helps with. Last year I totally expected to finally meet R but he never showed. Granted, I don't know what he looks like but I figured someone would introduce us...I'd hear his voice which I know...I'd see his nametag or visa versa, etc...but it didn't happen. I called him up the next day to tease him about not coming only to find out "surprise!" he was there and talked with my co-workers. We laughed and said...see you in February 2010.

In order to not have a repeat this year, I wrote on my calender to call R a couple days before the show to "personally invite him to show up this year." Well, R called me yesterday at work and mentioned that his February was pretty packed with meetings and trips. This prompted me to ask if he'd be at the food show in Seattle on Feb 23rd, to which he sheepishly admitted that he just booked a trip to Chicago during that time. Really?!?

At the end of our phone call, he said, "See you February 23rd."
Yeah, in 2011!

Clean Hands and Pure Hearts

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise--Proverbs 10:19

Today, my friends and I are having coffee with the two missionaries visiting our church. I'm not really sure what we will talk about. The missionaries that come through like to touch base with us candidates, to keep us encouraged, provide direction, and open up their corners of the world to us. And I gladly receive! These times are such a blessing. Last year, I think I was on an encouragement high for a week.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity--Proverbs 21:23

And yet, today I am a bit nervous. Since last year, things have happened. Occasionally we are bogged down with discouragement or frustration. I really don't want this time to become a slander/complaining/whining/exhausting conversation between the five of us. I think it is okay and probably good to talk about some elements of frustrations but I don't want it to be the sole focus of our coffee time. Above all, I want to have clean hands and a pure heart at the end of our time together instead of wondering if I should have kept my mouth shut. I hate that feeling. It leaves me feeling yucky and causes even more worry and frustration. Instead, I want wisdom and joy to be breathed between us all. May it be so.



The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just--Psalm 37:30

Salesmen I Like

I'm not a huge fan of salesmen.
Why? Because I hate saying no and yet I don't want to buy half of what is offered. Which means I'm "forced" to say no and then I feel guilty.

There is one type of salesman that I do like.
Missionaries.

I was talking with a missionary from Indonesia yesterday and after 5-10 minutes, he was trying to recruit me to come to Indonesia. As of yesterday, I have been told that the will of God is for me to go to Russia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Indonesia...oh, and of course, the military. I assured the military that I had not heard from God on this direction but thank you very much. As for the missionaries, I just smile or laugh, consider what life might be like there, and then go home with warm fuzzies.

I guess it's the whole thing of being wanted. It's a nice feeling.
And there are a lot of good things going on around the world that would be fun to be a part of. So even if I haven't heard directly from God yet as to where He wants me to go, I am glad to be the recipient of their recruiting!

I need a wishing well or a sugar daddy

I know what I want to be when I grow up...a missionary.
The problem is that I am growing up and I'm still not being/doing what I want to do.
Another problem is that at this point, I don't know where I want to go or what kind of ministry I want to have.

Monday night, I had the idea that would be brilliant for everyone who wants to be an overseas missionary. It would be great, if we could pick 4 locations (approximately) and go visit those locations to see how we would like the country and people, and to see the types of ministries that we could join or partner with. All that would be needed would be about 1 week per place.

That would totally work for me! I am a visual and somewhat intuitive type of person. I have visited places before and known that I could or should move there. Granted, I've only actually moved to such a place once but clearly the world and types of ministries available is greater than what my mind can conceive. I can hear all the stories, read all the details and dream away. But to go, taste, hear, smell and feel the country would be infinitely better.

So where would I go?
--Bosnia
--Macedonia
--Cambodia
--Either India, Indonesia, Kenya, or some other African country

So why not do it?
Because it requires money and time off work. I have already found out that I'm not "allowed" to take more than two weeks off at a time. Plus I only get two weeks of paid vacation time per year...so if I squeezed in a third week or more, I'd have to take unpaid time off, which might be okay except for the matter of paying for school. and rent. And really, you'd need to allow about 8-9 days for each place because you take one whole day traveling there and back. Although I suppose I'd get a feel of the country in 5 days.

Maybe I should try squeezing in a trip this year...

Getting around to touring

My dad worked at Boeing for 30 years. Next month, he will have been retired for two years.
He doesn't miss it.

Today, my dad is taking the Boeing tour for the first time!

Understandably, why would tour the place where you work? I never tour my office...granted my office is only about 700 sqft. What is funny about my dad having never toured Boeing is that we've taken guests, my dad had arranged for others to take the tour, and everyone else in our family has been on it.

So why is my dad just getting around to the tour for the first time?

Because our pastor roped him into it...hehehe. Our church has missionaries in town and they were interested in the tour. My pastor has done the tour almost every year with missionaries and doesn't want to go again...I don't blame him. It's interesting but only like once or twice. Without my pastor's intervention, I wouldn't have been surprised if my parents moved to Arizona without my dad ever desiring to go on the tour.

Knowing my dad, I'm sure those missionaries got an "enriched" tour with my dad's explanations...hopefully all three of them enjoyed it.