Fall, EFT, and Scandalon

I had a great weekend in the mountains at the ARE Retreat. This is at a retreat center call Wildacres, which is located at the top of a mountain in Little Switzerland, NC. The weather was gorgeous (if you overlooked the 40 mph winds on Friday) and we were able to have a bonfire and shamanic ceremony on Saturday night.

The leaves are just beginning to turn colors. The reds seemed to go first this year. Temps were down into the 40's at night, which, considering it was 90 here until last week, seemed really COLD! But fall is here- the air has that crisp feeling to it and the oppressive heat and humidity have been put to bed until next year.

This retreat always has a speaker talking about some topic. Then the people attending offer small sessions on things that they are expert in. Considering we have empathists, Reike healers, and more, these can be very interesting. The best one I went to was on EFT. If you don't know what that is, click on that link and check it out.  I was totally skeptical about it working, but in three rounds I couldn't even feel the pain in my back. I was also totally turned off to chocolate (and let me tell you, that is a miracle!) I thought about Kat, because there was a lady there with us who has fibro and was hurting pretty badly. Her pain level went from a 9 to a 1 in four rounds!

I look for God in repetition- coincidences- redundancy- and have found that I was supposed to be drawn to EFT. There is a group of people here at home who want to get together as a wellness group. I thought they were talking more about herbal medicine and nutrition, but the girl told me yesterday that we will be doing EFT and Qi Gong at our first meeting in two weeks. If she had told me that last week, I wouldn't have even known what EFT was!

I also had enough time to finish reading Susan's book, Scandalon. I haven't had time to tell her how wonderful this book was, but I'll tell all of you. Well written, very revealing and insightful, and a first-hand look at life in China as an American. You get a clear sense of the differences in thought and culture. You also get a refreshing look at the redemptive powers of God. Well done, Susan!

I'm still doing laundry and unpacking. Savannah went on a youth retreat this weekend, so I have two people to unpack. Well, she unpacked, but didn't put her suitcase away. I'll put hers up when I get through with mine. For now, I'm still trying to catch up on blogs. I know there's no way to, so if I didn't get by you and there's something really important about it, please let me know!

Another list!

1. Were You Named After Anyone?  My grandmother's name was Janie- mom has the nickname "Teen." I always thought Janeen was a combo of both- but mom says no, they just liked that name! 

2. Do You Like Handwriting? If it is neat and legible. I can type faster than I write, so for me I'd rather type!

3. What Is Your Favorite Lunch Meat? roast beef

4. Have Kids?  Yes - 3

5. If You Were Another Person, Would You Be Friends With You? Yes I would- I like me!

6. Do You Use Sarcasm A Lot? No. Or at least I try not to.

7. Do You Still Have Your Tonsils?  No, I had them out when I was 21. Trust me, take them out as a child! 21 was no fun!

8. Would You Bungee Jump? um, NO!

9. What Is Your Favorite Cereal? frosted flakes

10. Do You Untie Your Shoes Before You Take Them Off? No. Sometimes I don't even untie them before I put them back on!

11. What Is Your Favorite Ice Cream? Birthday cake!

12. What Is The First Thing You Notice About People? hmm... that's hard. Height, weight, color?

13. Red or Pink? Red What Is The Least Favorite Thing About Yourself? My fat belly

14. Who Do You Miss The Most? my daddy

15. Do You Want Everyone To Send This Back To You? Would be nice!

16. What Color Shoes Are You Wearing? none- I'm lying on the bed

17. What Was The Last Thing You Ate? pinto beans with onions. Made a huge batch today!

18. What Are You Listening To Right Now? Savannah argue with her brother about something downstairs.

19. If You Where A Crayon, What Color Would You Be? Blue. The color of the sky and ocean, the color of calm and peace.

20. Favorite Smells? popped popcorn, baking bread, simmering spaghetti sauce

21. Who Was The Last Person You Talked To On The Phone? my mom

22. Do You Like The Person Who Sent This To You? Yes I do! Thanks, Jeff!

23. Favorite Sports to Watch? baseball and football

24. Hair Color? naturally, it is dark brown. But it has golden highlights so it looks lighter brown than it is.

25. Eye Color? hazel

26. Do You Wear Contacts? yes and no. I have them, but don't wear them often. Only if I'm going to do something where my glasses will be in the way. Contacts are not comfortable in my eyes!

27. Favorite Food? Food! Ok, if I have to choose, I'll say medium rare steak cooked on the grill.

28. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? No scary movies!

29. Last Movie You Watched? Letters to Juliet.

30. What Color Shirt Are You Wearing? Black

31. Summer Or Winter? Summer. I love the sun, and I do NOT like to be cold!

32. Hugs Or Kisses? both!

33. Favorite Dessert?   cheesecake with cherries

34. Most Likely To Respond? don't know

35. Least Likely To Respond? someone who didn't read this

36. What Book Are You Reading Now? Just finished "The Forgotten Garden" and am still in the middle of "Savannah" (which I'm reading for at least the 5th time!) The Bible, and I'm supposed to be reading something for book club, but I forgot what it was. Oh well, I'll just bring wine!

37. Where Would You Like To Go On Vacation? Going to Italy in the spring! Yay! I'd also like to see the Grand Canyon.

38. Where is the most different place you ever went on vacation?  Has to be Montana/Wyoming. Wide open spaces out there. You can see for miles and not see a house or a car!

39. What Is On Your Mouse Pad? A blue bump to rest my wrist on.

40. Favorite Sound? I like Jeff's answer- silence! I don't mind crickets on a summer evening, either.

41. Rolling Stones Or Beatles? Why do I have to choose?

42. What Is The Farthest You Have Been From Home? Montana/Canada

43. Do You Have A Special Talent Music. Laughter.

44. Whose Answers Are You Looking Forward To Getting Back? All my friends!

- The Name of God

http://iggyigette.multiply.com/journal/item/1146?mark_read=iggyigette:journal:1146&replies_read=12
God wrote His name in the place of His tabernacle.... this gives me chills! Thanks for posting it, Iggy!

PP- Vanishing Point

Welcome

to

Picture Perfect

the theme this week is

 

The Vanishing Point

 

The Rules of the Game are here.

I know a country laced with roads, 
They join the hills and they span the brooks, 
They weave like a shuttle between broad fields, 
And slide discreetly through hidden nooks. 
They are canopied like a Persian dome 
And carpeted with orient dyes. 
They are myriad-voiced, and musical, 
And scented with happiest memories. - Amy Lowell

The Great Ornament Exchange Returns

If you missed it last year, The Great Ornament Exchange is back for year two! Actually, I have already had two people ask me about it on Facebook- they're in!

In case you're new to my page (or weren't paying attention last year) here's how it works. Send me a pm stating you want to be part of the exchange. Around the end of October, I'll pm everyone who is participating with everyone's address. You make, buy, or re-purpose a Christmas ornament to every person on the list. (If the list gets too big, we'll talk about what to do so we're not sending out a crazy number of ornaments!) Last year, I think we had 8 people, so that meant you were mailing out 7 ornaments (because you don't send one to yourself!)

These pictures are some of the actual ornaments I received!


This was a lot of fun and I got some things that I would never have had otherwise. Some were wonderfully handmade and others were just cute store-bought items. The ornament didn't seem to matter as much as the connection with the person sending it. I got so excited just going to check the mailbox! Since some were my friends and some were friends of my friends, there were people on the list I didn't know well, but now I feel like I do!


So again, if you want to join, pm me your address. I'll only share it with those in the exchange.

Ten Tuesday Thoughts- The Meditation Edition

1. I think I should meditate- I sure don't seem to have any thoughts!

2. Um, oh yeah, Savannah won her volleyball game today. The team is 4-2. She's one of two captains and is the best player on the team. I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom, she got invited to try out for our area Junior Olympic team.

3. We're going to Italy! Over spring break, the art teacher at her school is taking students on a trip. So my mom is paying for the girl and me to go. I'm SUPER excited!

4. I hurt my back again, this time I think lugging the laundry around. I sure don't like not being able to do the things I need to do! Went to the chiropractor today and she said that she could fix me. But boy, I'm sore now!

5. Chris is 2 for 2 today. He got my mom's truck stuck, then he got the tractor stuck trying to get the truck out! Kids!

6. Ummmm.....

7. Ahhhhh....

8. See? I should meditate.  Ohmmmm..... Ohmmmm....

9. Oh, I had 15 women in my Bible study on Sunday night! We're doing Beth Moore's The Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John. I haven't had more than 6 ladies before. Now I feel like I REALLY have to prepare!

10. I'm ready to go to bed. Taking a muscle relaxer and heading to dreamland. Night all!

I Lost a Day....

... And I don't think I'm going to find it! I work 30 hours a week. Well, it takes me 30 hours at least to do my job each week. So on short weeks, I just work that much harder the other four days.

I don't know if it is Murphy's Law or just the way the universe turns, but short weeks always seem to come with their own "surprise" that means more work. This week is no exception. There's a funeral in the morning. Which means I won't get out of work on time again tomorrow.

Now before you think I'm complaining too much, I have to say that I love my job. I can't imagine doing anything else. So I don't usually mind staying late. I'm just wondering how many other people have jobs like this- ones that, if you're not there to do them, you just have to do them later?