Bible Talk

As I've been going about this summer job, I've been praying that God will use me as a good example to those around me who are not Christians.  Sometimes, I feel like I am being one . . . and sometimes not so much.
Example of a good example:  The other day one of my co-counselors and I were sitting by the playground watching the boys on the playscape.  We could see the tumbling shed on the other side of the playscape and a group of girls was up there doing a dance to a song that really made no sense to me.  I think it was "Jump on it" or something like that.  I mentioned that I really didn't get the point of it and he asked me how I had never done it before at a wedding or something.  I told him I had never danced at a wedding and he just couldn't believe it.  I then proceeded to point out that I had grown up and never gone to a dance because we didn't dance in my house.  Yes, I participated in dance parties with friends where we just goofed off to whatever music was playing, but I never went somewhere where they were actually dancing except for prom, which wasn't fun.  Anyway, that led to a discussion of the fact that I was a preacher's daughter and a Christian and he said something about reading the Bible and I mentioned I read it every morning.  Then, he asked if I prefered Old Testament or New.  I told him it depended on my mood, but without the Old Testament, we wouldn't have stories like Ehud, which he had never heard so I told him about it.  I think I impressed him with how much I knew of various stories in the Bible as we talked about it a little longer.
Example of a not so good example:  Yesterday we were sitting by the pool while the lifeguards gave our kids their swim lessons.  Another of my co-counselors was talking about her boyfriend's five-year-old niece and some of the things she says.  Evidently, she has a dirty mouth because she mentioned several bad words the child had said and laughed about how kids pick up things.  And I didn't say anything about how sad I found that story even though the other counselors were laughing at it.  It really bothers me that they think it's funny a three-to-five-year-old can use such language.  I don't even find it okay when someone the counselors' ages use it, but I don't say anything.  I just shake my head and go on with life.  I can't just wait for openings like I had the other day with actual talking about the Bible.  I need to step up more and let them know their language offends me and I would hope any future children I might send to a camp wouldn't pick up certain words or phrases from their counselors (even though we supposedly aren't supposed to use it around the kids -- as my husband says, little pitchers have big ears).

Cold Water

I've got to admit I lead a sheltered life. . . I do.  And I like my sheltered life.  I worked at a Christian preschool and a Christian after-school care program and go to church.  That's what I do during the school year.  The craziest I get is when I do things related to my home-sales job where I help a host who is not a Christian or at our team meetings when some of those girls aren't Christians, and even that is only one night every now and then.  So, when I go back to my summer job, at a day camp, which is run by members of the Baptist church but not necessarily Christian, it's a bit like jumping into the pool in the morning -- cold water!  I have to remember that not everyone has a great aversion to the expression, "Oh my god!" or "OMG!"  I hate those by the way.  Literally can't stand them.  They make my skin crawl.  Not to mention what else some of the other counselors say . . .  I have to remember that not everyone has a daddy like I do who would not let me out in public if any of my belly showed, even in a swimsuit.  I have to remember that some people go out and have a few drinks when they turn 21 just because they can. . . even if I didn't.  And I have to remember the verse, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you."  (2 Corinthians 6:17)  Just because I have to hear those things all day doesn't mean I have to repeat them.  I just wish I didn't have to hear them all day.

My Feelings on VBS

I love VBS.  My Dad lead it every year when I was growing up and I can remembering singing "Booster, Booster" and "I Got the Joy, Joy, Joy" and "If I Were a Butterfly" with my Dad.  The cookies and koolaide were always a great part.  But most of all, the Bible stories were what I remember.
We walked into the church building today and saw the decorations that have already been put up for the VBS that starts next Sunday night.  But instead of it being about Bible stories, all I saw were paper waves and beaches.  I've really had to rework my mind the last few years at this congregation (which we love) to realize that sometimes they focus more on the theme than other places I've been in the past.  It's just a really big pet peeve of mine when people focus mostly on the theme of a VBS and throw the Bible stories in as a half-hearted last thought.  I know they don't think they're doing it that way, but it's feeling more and more like that's what's happening.  The decorations and t-shirts and crafts are all focused on the beachy surfer theme instead of the Bible stories.  What are the kids going to remember?  Are they going to remember the silly songs and stories or that they made a really cool sun-visor?  I honestly don't know what crafts we're doing this year, even though I'm supposed to be helping do them in the class I'm helping with.  That's just an example.
Anyway, sorry for my rant, but it's just really frustrating to me to see this trend as it continues and grows.  I worry about the future and what kinds of Vacation Bible School my kids are going to have.

Shout Out/Prayer Request

So, let me tell you about this amazing author I'm blessed to know through email.  I, an aspiring author, was invited into a wonderful group of Christian women writers who email each other and pray for each other and encourage each other . . . and critique each other's work sometimes.  Anyway, the one I'm talking about now is Sandi Rog.  She just published her first book at the end of last year and it's AMAZING!  Like, consider her another Francine Rivers.  Seriously.
The only thing is, the day her book came out, she found out she had bone cancer.  Yeah.  So, she's been fighting that and has been so strong and courageous (although she doesn't think so) through it all.  A week or so ago she had a bone marrow transplant which is supposed to kill off the cancer AND probably cure her MS, too.  She's been really tired and in a lot of pain, but she just posted this blog today and I had to share.  It just makes you feel better about life.
Also, check out her book which I have linked at the side.  It's so good you'll want to read it twice before loaning it to anyone else!

Stretching Pennies, Hours, and Muscles

So, I've started my summer job -- counselor at a summer day camp.  It's fun, but exhausting as it means I'm outside all day Monday through Friday.  To top it off, Jeremy's schedule switched again.  While we don't need to worry about him missing church anymore, he's closing three other nights now.  That means I don't get to see much of him.  We kiss in the morning as I head to work and again when he gets home that night before I go to bed.  Not fun.  I know I really shouldn't complain that much since my sister's husband travels a lot for work and she goes for days without seeing him, but it's still not fun.  Even after being married for almost seven years, I like spending time with my hubby.
This month is tight for us.  My paycheck was a bit smaller and his paycheck got cut starting a few weeks ago because his hours got cut (along with everyone else in the store's).  This makes it harder to juggle all the bills, especially with the extra doctor bills we've been paying for several weeks for his hand.  I'm frustrated.  Money frustrates me.  I've started getting more serious about couponing, but so far haven't done much better than to just cut a grocery/shopping trip in half.  That's still good, but not great.  If I see any great deals, would you like me to share on here?  Is that something this blog would be good for?  I don't think I've figured out the entire purpose of this blog except to share my frustrations and my praises.
The other joy of my summer job is that I am exhausted when I get home.  My legs and feet hurt, my skin hurts where I might not have gotten enough sunscreen on.  Today, my knee and shoulder hurt where I took a tumble while playing tag.  But I sleep really well.
I think I'm going to have to find time to call my doctor again.  This Loestrin 24 FE isn't working. . . . except to make me want to cry all the time.

Fifty-Thousand Dollars

So, I'm a lot like my Dad in that I really don't like being in debt.  Since my husband lost his job a couple years ago and started working retail instead, we've accumulated quite a bit, though.  I know there's not a whole lot we could have done different, but it still frustrates me.  Especially on days like today when the mail brings me a notice that my health insurance premium went up two days ago and that one of our credit cards has lowered our spending limit . . . not that we wanted to spend that much with it in the first place, but it just screams that our credit score is suffering from this, too.
So, tonight, just for a few minutes, I'm going to pretend that I have $50,000.  Here's how I would spend it:

1. Pay off all FIVE credit cards -- I really don't know how we let it get this bad!
2. Pay off the rest of Jeremy's car and trade both vehicles in for ones that run without breaking down every month.
3. Cut down tree in backyard before it falls on house.
4. Replace fence in backyard so that we actually have privacy from our neighbors.
5. New disposal that actually works . . . which I've been meaning to do since we moved in three years ago.
6. Tear up carpet in hallway and replace with laminate -- including replacing the flooring in the kitchen, too.

Does that pretty much use it all up?  I can't decide.  If it didn't, whatever is left goes into savings.  You thought I was going to have a fun list, didn't you?  Nope.  My list is all practical.  That's who I am.  It was fun for me, anyway.  ;-)