Pages

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Comparing Two Towns- Part Two


So I'm currently back in the Northwest with my 17 year old daughter. As you can tell by the picture, God's creation here is spectacular. I am "blooming where I'm planted" and yet I'm afraid to put my roots down too firmly knowing I have to say goodbye to this town again in the fall of 2011 and head back to Illinois...


The City of Gig Harbor, Washington

Population: 7,521 in City Limits /66,000 Gig Harbor / Key Peninsula Area
Located: About 50 minutes south of Seattle, it’s located across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Out my window : water, boats, homes, pine trees
In shop windows: kayaks for rent
On the Tavern menu: fish & chips, chowder
On the road: round-abouts
On the sidewalks: people walking dogs downtown
(most neighborhoods don’t have sidewalks)
Sounds I hear: silence or seagulls
People wearing: Northface jackets & workout clothes
Drive to school: She can drive herself the 10 minutes!
Favorite coffee spots: Forza, 3 Starbucks, 2 Cutters Points (coffee is big!)
Shopping: Target, Uptown mall or head over the bridge
Annoying: slugs
Weather: chilly rainy winters/mild summers
School snow days: if a flake is predicted
Garages: usually 3-car & attached
Homes: expensive & usually rather new

Things I love about the Harbor
:
-seeing people I know almost everywhere I go
-knowing my way around
-the mountains & water (SO beautiful)
-my church family
-feeling more secure/safe
-watching my daughter thrive again!!!

Mike and I hope to retire here in Gig Harbor. I’m grappling with God. Why would He have me finally accept that I had to move away from this amazing place, only to send me back for a “teaser” of 18 months?

Do you ever question God? I know He’s sovereign and has a plan for my family, but this back & forth is painful. One verse has jumped out at me as I attempt to live in the moment.
“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised.”
Joshua 1:3

Who knows which town we’ll be living in, and when? (Well, actually God does.)

In His Grip, Jane

Friday, February 25, 2011

Comparing Two Towns-Part One



I've been away from Glen Ellyn, my pets,my house and my husband for a month. I've been thinking about the village I left behind...






The Village of Glen Ellyn

Located: about 40 minutes west of Chicago
Population: about 27,236
Out my window: the neighbor’s house, bare trees
In shop windows: ice skates for rent
On the Tavern menu: fried twinkies, tator tots
On the road: LOTS of stop signs
On the sidewalks: people walking to the train
Sounds I hear: trains
People are wearing: down parkas & Uggs
Drive to school: Was 5 minutes (unless train in the way)
Favorite coffee spot: Caribou or downtown Starbucks
Favorite restaurants: SO many to choose from!
Shopping: EVERYTHING & CLOSE!
Annoying pests: ants
Weather: very hot & humid or cold & snowy
School snow days: never (except after the blizzard)
Garages: detached & small (hard to get used to!)
Homes: older ,remodeled & expensive
Best places to walk: the neighborhoods,or around Lake Ellyn


My Mom always told me to look for the good in everyone and every situation, so that's what I've been trying to do!

Things I loved about my little Illinois town:
-only being a 3 hour drive from my Mom & sisters
-going to the town swimming pool on a hot day
-all the vintage homes
-an amazing 4th of July Fireworks show
-beautiful fall leaves
-lots of flat roads to ride a bike (I'll get one this summer!)
-meeting new friends
-convenient shopping & TONS of restaurants
-waking up to sunshine
-living in the same place as my hubby & pets!!!!!

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21

Stay tuned for a description of Gig Harbor, Washington...

In His Grip, Jane






Friday, February 18, 2011

Who Do You Talk To


Did I talk to strangers when I was a young girl and parents didn’t have to be so worried about predators? Did my Mom tell me not to talk to strangers, or did I learn to be friendly from her? I can slip into a conversation with just about anyone. I look at “strangers” as potential friends I just need to get to know.

Last night my teenage daughter thought there was someone upstairs with me because she heard me talking. When I came back down and she asked me who I was talking to, I replied, “the goldfish”! Yep, as I was feeding my friend’s fish his flakes I talked to him just like I used to talk to my dog & cat. Since I’m living away from my pets I’m making local animal friends. Besides the goldfish, I talk to the Seagulls that line the bridge to Raft Island, and the neighbor’s mule and horse too. I made up names for them but I saw the owner and she told me Donovan the donkey is really Stuart, and Harold the horse is a female named Sammy. This whole naming thing started back in high school when we named our cars Rita Riviera and Bertha Barracuda.

Part of my desire to chat comes from the fact that I just need to get some words out. Wasn’t there a study done that said women say three times as many words per day than men?-an average of 20,000 words per day? When I was new in Illinois and didn’t really have friends to talk to I became acquainted with the woman at the dry cleaner counter, and some of the local store owners. I was a bit concerned after I got into a long conversation with the Starbucks barista at the grocery store in Wheaton. Was I so desperate that I’d talk to anyone? I remember my sister-in-law telling me she didn’t know anyone in her new town except her Starbucks girl…

A couple weeks ago I got into a conversation with a cute young woman at Target. Before I knew it she was giving me her card and we were planning a Mary Kay get-together. Another new friend!

When I’m taking care of little ones I talk to them because that is how they develop a strong vocabulary. Having been an early childhood teacher and mom of four, I am used to a running narrative. Perhaps I should have chosen communications as my major. I can picture myself as the next Meredith Vierira interviewing guests on the Today Show. I would probably be fired though, since I’d ask all the guests about their faith and if they knew Jesus.

I talk to myself on occasion-usually when I’ve done something stupid!All day long I have a running conversation with God in my head. Sometimes when I’m alone I’ll talk out loud to Him. And then I stop talking so I can LISTEN...

I will probably continue to start up conversations with women and young moms. God has given me a desire to hear their stories and be an encourager. At times I can just tell that someone is lonely or needs someone to listen. I’m thankful God can use me to try and brighten someone’s day with a kind word.
Do you talk to yourself?

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.". 1Thessalonians 5:11

Do you talk to yourself?
Do you talk to store clerks?
Do you talk to babies and animals?
Do you talk to “strangers?”

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
Hebrews 13:2

In His Grip, Jane

I have so many Seagulls to name...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Tap, Tap, Tap


I hear the sound...rain.

I am fairly used to it since I used to live in the Northwest. I find it interesting how the clouds shift so quickly here in Washington. During a 20 minute drive home from the mall today I experienced showers, clear skies, sleet, and really hard rain. Thank goodness for intermittent wipers!

The other night as I was reading in bed I heard such a loud sound out my window I ran out to check the back deck. Sure enough it was hailing. (Hopefully my Kia has a really strong paint-job since I don’t get to park in a garage right now.)

Back in the Mid-west I couldn’t believe how LOUD the rain sounded on our windows. Our home there has old, double-hung windows and since it is a Colonial style, there in no overhang. Wow! I didn’t realize how much an overhang “protects” the home!

Tap, tap, tap.


I feel little taps on my heart from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes they are really loud and noticeable. Sometimes they are gentle and just a whisper. If I have my own protective armor up then I am shielded from hearing God, almost like the over-hang on our former yellow house prevented the rain from tapping loudly on the windows.

I LOVE sunny days, but rain is necessary and refreshing. “Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins. Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19,20

I want to "hear" the taps. I want the Living Water to make a difference in my life.

I've got my “Wellies” by the backdoor for the next time I leave the house, my windshield wipers are in good operating order, and most importantly I am staying in God's word so I'll be ready to hear from Him the next time he goes tap, tap, tap.

In His Grip, Jane

Friday, February 11, 2011

It's Fun Friday!

I had a busy week!







I brought some healthy snacks from Costco to the Super bowl party but chowed down on peanut M & M’s and Frito's. How about those Packers? !

I’m loving my new Beth Moore study, Breaking Free.




Since my pets are in Illinois I now talk to the neighbor’s horse. I “named” him Harold.







I got to rock tiny babies at church.














A darling Mary Kay consultant showed my daughter and her friends and I some new skin care products and make-up.






So now it's Friday...Is Friday your favorite day of the week? Since I’m out here in the Northwest while my husband works at his job in Chicago, I’ve been a bit apprehensive about how I’d deal with Fridays.

When I taught first grade years ago, we called the last day of each school week “Fun Friday”. We loved knowing the weekend was coming, and usually the students earned the privilege of watching a fun video at the end of the day. (Shhhh-don’t tell anyone, but this time gave the teachers a chance to organize the take-home folders and finish up any grading…)

When I taught at a private school, Fridays meant it was Friday “friend day”. Instead of eating lunch with their classmates at the assigned table, the children could sit with friends at any table they wanted.

In high school, Fridays were fun because they meant ballgames and sleepovers. During college, Fridays meant Fraternity parties. Up until we moved to Chicago this past summer Fridays meant going to Tides Tavern with my man and meeting friends for fish & chips and beer.

Can you tell how much I love friends? I LOVE spending time with dear friends, and making new friends too. I need alone time but I cherish time with friends.

Well today ended up being full of surprises. I got invited to join girlfriends for coffee & conversation late this morning, then invited to go to a movie I’ve been hoping to see in a little while; The King’s Speech. So I’m having the grown-up version of Friday “Friend day”.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"Ecclesiastes 4:9-10


We are meant to be in community. God created us for a relationship with Him, and others. I’m so thankful for my girlfriends in the Harbor who support me, laugh with me, and "do life" with me...

I hope everyone has a "fun Friday" with friends! Enjoy your weekend too.


In His Grip, Jane






Friday, February 4, 2011

Eyes Wide Open


Have you ever had a “balance test”? Not the kind where you stand on one leg and see if you can stand steady with your eyes closed… Today I had an inner ear test to see if I could get an answer to my vertigo problem. It was not a fun morning.

First of all I had to give up caffeine for two days (and medicine & wine). I wasn’t allowed anything to eat this morning and couldn’t wear any make-up. At 9:00 I showed up at the audiologist hungry,and hiding behind sunglasses in case I ran into anyone I knew. It was raining out so the sunglasses made me feel a bit conspicuous…

The test involved wearing really tight goggles (like the ones in the photo) that didn’t help my ongoing headache.I'm sure I looked cute too. I had to follow red dots with my eyes for quite a while. It was tiring, but not hard. Next she would move my head then quickly force me backwards on the table. The computer was “reading” what my eyes were doing. I know someone really smart created this test and machine, but did they realize how uncomfortable the “patient” would be?

The HARD part came next. Warm air (it felt hot to me) was blown into each ear then later repeated with cold air. I couldn’t see a thing. The goggles made everything black but I had to keep my eyes open. It is HARD to keep your eyes open when you’re: tired and haven’t had caffeine, it’s dark, and you’re dizzy.

I kept singing the Switchfoot tune from Your Love is a Song that has the lyrics “I’ve been keeping my eyes wide open.” Each time the air finished it’s little blowing session- my own little hurricane torture, I would be asked to list things like states, fruit, zoo animals. I am over 50 and have a college+ degree yet my brain was having a difficult time focusing and remembering facts. How many states or zoo animals can you list quickly when you're dizzy? Ok then...

I was happy when the test was over and I could sit up, put my make-up on and head to Starbucks with a diagnosis. I need vestibular therapy with a physical therapist. I also discovered I need to hang out more in the produce section, memorize the 50 states, learn more countries and go on a field trip to the zoo!

Besides those educational facts I think God would like me to remember to keep my eyes wide open too. Wide open even when my circumstances aren’t perfect and I’m not feeling great. There are a lot of people all around me who could use Jesus in their lives and if I’m too inwardly-focused I’ll miss opportunities. I need to keep my eyes wide open and on the Lord rather than just on my issues or earthly “things”.

" Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."
Psalm 199:18

Are you keeping your eyes wide open?

In His Grip, Jane