The Interview

Amber from A Small Peek into my World had a very cool diddy on her blog.... someone had interviewed her and then she posted her answers for all to see. She asked for people to comment if they wanted to be interviewed, and I took the bait.

Here are her questions to me... and my answers following.
1) How did you meet your husband??

My first "real" job was as an English teacher at East Central High School. I had worked there for a couple years when this really good-looking new coach got hired on as assistant basketball coach. The head coach, Coop, was just a couple doors down the hallway from me, so I saw Tom quite a bit. We made a bet on the outcome of a TU-OSU football game... winner paid for movie and dinner. (I won.) The next time he came to make a "bet" I called his bluff (said, "are you going to ask me out or what?") and well... the rest is history.

2) When did you realize that you had a love for letters??

When I saw the two mouths talking on Electric Company. Back in the day.

3) What is your favorite kind of music??

I Love, Love, Love Christian music. Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Mercy Me, Third Day.... That's mostly what I listen to in the car and on my ipod.

However, I cut my teeth on some real funk.... and still feel the beat in my soul when I hear Chaka Khan (I Feel For You!), Prince (Purple Rain), Club Nouveau (Situation Number 9), Michael Jackson (Beat It) Midnight Star (No Parking on the Dance Floor). I went to a fairly rough high school where I also became fond of bands like Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, White Snake, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Boston. My dad loved classic music like the Eagles and Elton John, so I grew up liking that music too. And when I was a cowgirl at OSU, I danced my boots off to George Straight, Garth Brooks, and Hal Ketchum.

Oh, and one more thing... lately, I've had a bit of a thing for Robin Thicke.

4) What’s your dream job? Are you doing it now?

I was born to teach. I know that. It's agreed with me for all my life.

But I am a dreamer and in my wildest dreams.... I would be...

*a writer for a newspaper or magazine - weekly columnist

*an author of a wildly successful children's book

*an artist (but I can't paint or draw)

*a comedian (but I'm not funny)

*a tough as nails lawyer (not that tough)

Guess I'd better stick with teaching and being a mom (my dream job come true)

5) What is your favorite family activity??

It's soooo hard to pick just one! Things we like to do together as a family...

any sporting event, bowling, letterboxing, playing board games, wrestling in the living room floor, hanging out with friends, watching sports on TV, baking, going to movies, watching plays, playing Wii, card games, and of course spending time with the kids' grandparents and Granny I.

Can I interview you? If so, leave me a comment and let me know. I will email you your questions.

Because I Always Love a Good Letter Challenge

Dawn @ Dawn's Diversions had a fun diversion on her blog a couple days ago....

It's the Sesame Street Meme. Dawn was given a letter by Georgie, and she had to think of 10 things that she loves that start with that letter. So, because I love letters and words and challenges, I asked Dawn for a letter and she gave me.... P.




Quickly ruled out, Poison, Poop, Profanity, Peanut Butter (ick!) Partisin Politics (truly makes me angry), Puke, Potsmokers, Potholes, and Pain.

So, here is my list for letter P.

1) Parenthood - there's probably nothing I like more than being a momma. It just rings true in my heart.

2) Penelope's Pitstop - this is an awesome site that has some of the coolest finds out there - what she calls "Praise Worthy Paraphernailia." Since I hate to shop (I know, I'm weird), I love to look at this website for hip and happenin' ideas. I had been stalking this site for awhile before I discovered it's blog author is a friend of mine named PENNY!!!

3) Parties - I love parties! There is nothing more fun that putting together a fun party for your kids' friends or your own friends! I also love attending parties. Oh, and there's a party of sorts for Oklahoma bloggers coming up. I am going to that party! Won't you come too?

4) People - all of you people! I know I say this all the time, but I am totally inspired by you. I am a people person. Some of my favorite people: Kim Nicole Ashley Laura Lori Chere Chrissy Rise Tom Kerry Judy Ida Starla Dawn Amy Traci Laurie Erin Amanda Jessie Linda Suzanne Heather Ronda Kelly Rhonda Carolyn Renee Catherine Clint Kendra Katie Laurie Terri Ginger Julie Bruce Susan Leigh Michelle Paula I love you all!

5) Pictures!!!!! - I have a passion for pictures. I can't stop taking them. I pore over them like a mad scientest. Here is my favorite photographer.

6) Parents - Well, I literally would not be here if it weren't for my parents, but I appreciate them for more than bringing me into the world. Judy and Jim don't get enough blog time really, because they are the epitomy of wonderful parents and I love them so much even though sometimes lately when I talk to them it is like watching Frank and Estelle on Seinfeld. Love you guys!!!

7) Pummelling Opponents - That sounds bad, but most coaches wives will tell you that it is gut-wrenching to watch a close game... I'd rather just beat the bleep out of the other teams. Sorry, but it's true. Last night, when I left our game early, we were up around 25 and all I could think about was yelling at those players to "extend your lead!!" The rest of the evening, I had such a happy feeling in my heart and when I examined it, I realized it was because we had just annihilated the enemy.

8) Pardon - I love being pardoned from sin... the pardon given to us by Jesus when He died on the cross.

9) Palindromes - Words/Phrases that are spelled the same backwards and forwards - how cool are those? Like RACECAR and WAS IT ELIOT'S TOILET I SAW?

10) Pajamas - oooooh soft pajamas and a warm cup of Green Tea? PERFECT!!!

Ok, that was even more fun than I thought it was going to be. I totally enjoyed it and want you to play. Please play? If you want a letter, leave me a comment that you want to play, and I will assign you one!

God's Mercies on a Hurting Heart

I have a friend.

A very, very good friend.

And she is going through a hard time.

A very, very hard time.

An I-may-not-make-it-out-of-bed-today hard time.

A life-really-stinks-my-heart-is-breaking-help-me hard time.

And when you have a very good friend whose heart is breaking, little bit by little bit, so goes your own heart.

When the end of this heartbursting time will come, no one really knows.

In the meantime, there are holidays to attend to... like Halloween and Thanksgiving.

And birthdays. Big ones. 40th birthdays.

A day that's supposed to show you that what you've been doing the last 40 years has really paid off. A day that you're supposed to be secure and mature, looking forward to the years to come.

But how could she look forward to this milestone of a day when it seems that looking back is depressing and looking forward is frightening?

There is not a happy ending to this story (not yet anyway), but I will say there is kind of a pleasant interruption of sorts... a God given respite... kind of like an unexpected refreshment of rain on a hot hard day.

That's actually what this post is about. What I really want to communicate here is God's daily mercies (click here for others), specifically the way He worked amazingly in the life of my friend this past week.

I knew her birthday was coming up, but in all honesty, had put little to no thought to it. How could I possibly plan a celebration knowing the condition of her heart? But another friend brought up to me that they wanted to plan a party. A party? I wasn't so sure about that, but after brainstorming for awhile, we had an exciting alternative: a week of birthday blessings. Then, I called another friend, and we brainstormed a theme for each day:

Monday: Flower Shower
Tuesday: Words of Encouragment
Wednesday: Pamper Party
Thursday: Gifts of Inspiration
Friday: Gift Card Crazy

With the magic of email, we had 5-6 people a day lined up to send flowers, drop by gifts, bake dinner, take to lunch, and so on and so forth. (I think it turned out to be more than that.)

It was easy, because God was behind it.

It wasn't me at all. I take absolutely none (zero!) credit. And I'll prove it.

Tuesday was her actual birthday. In the email, we had asked everyone to get her a card that day. In her mailbox or in person. And at the end of the day, she called me. Astonishingly, she had gotten a lot of cards that day.

Guess how many?
Could it be?
40.
40!!!
Forty.
40 on her fortieth birthday.

I COULD NOT have planned it this way. I know it was another of God's little mercies for my friend, just telling her "I love you," "everything is going to be OK." "I'm with you." "You have my support and I'm NOT leaving you alone."

The rest of her week was amazing, with treats around every corner. A scripture Bracelet. Gift cards galore. Coffee. Surprise visits. Mani/pedi. A great Italian dinner. An edible fruit bouquet. A poinsettia. A Happy Everything plate!

She said this: she said that she never expected to be happy on her birthday. But she was. I'd venture to say that the whole week brought her great joy thanks to God, who is good and provides for His children.

She had to decorate the Christmas tree tonight. I say "had" because it wasn't easy. There were ornaments and memories and tears, all mixed together. This is not an easy time for her. But I think last week gave her a glimmer of hope and encouragement that she needed.

I keep telling her I am expecting God to do some more amazing things in her life. So if you get a chance, say a prayer for my friend. He'll know who you're talking about.

God is Good, So Good So Good

A blogger friend of mine, who I just adore, has started a meme with her sister. On Sundays, bloggers are encouraged to share a story of how we’ve seen God’s mercy at work in our life or in the lives of others and then link to her blog.

Believe me, I have no shortage of ways that He has taken up my slack and watched out for me. I can be pretty much a walking disaster at times, if not for His amazing mercy and grace. Seriously.

He has given me unmerited mercy by helping me with stuff, both big and small. For example-

Big: He pulled me out the dark and frightening corner of fear and worry that I had worked myself into a few years back.

Little: He helps me find my keys everyday. I am serious about that.

The one I want to talk about today is a pretty big one that has occurred over the last few days.
It has to do with that maddening, orange sphere called a basketball.

More specifically, game day in the basketball arena.

As I was driving to the ORU vs. TU game a few days back, I began to feel that familiar gush of adrenaline that does wacky things to my heart, head and bowels. It is unbelievably unpleasant and if the game is a big one, can truly feel like an out-of-body experience.

And then I asked myself, WHY? Why is this happening to me?
I told myself....

We are driving to the game.
Nothing is even happening at the moment!
Why do you feel like you are a squirrel staring down a Mack Truck?

And then it hit me.

Pavlov.

I am a Pavlov dog. Show me a basketball game: my body responds (and not by drooling.)

It was at that moment that I began a sincere and desperate plea to God to help me handle these games with more poise and spiritual maturity... with the peace that passeth understanding. I had a few friends pray. I thought about this verse:

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

And then... my friends, his mercy came like a wave.

Two games down, absolutely no anxiety.

None.
Zilch.
Nada.

And that... that... was a major mercy. It was NOT of myself. He provided peace and assurance for me throughout those 2 games!

Check on me again on Tuesday when we play Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana-Lafayette.
and then again next week when we play Missouri at Missouri.
and how about in December when we play none other than the number 1 team in the land, North Carolina. AT North Carolina.

I could certainly use your prayers and more of His Daily Mercies.