Pressing On

My entry about backward thinking seemed to have caused some confusion. My trip this summer is still on. Nothing has changed there. I'm starting to raise funds for it, and things are looking promising.

The agency I was applying at was part of my long-term planning. I am trying to study, network, apply, and test various missions agencies for a long-term assignment(s). That may be as far as 7 years out (when the kids are no longer under my wing), but I'm willing to go right away. I have a lot of learning to do, but I'm trying to make myself (and the kids) available for God to use/send as needed.

I still highly respect the agency that turned me down, and I fully expect to find more closed doors, but we will press on.

Mr. Mom Tip

Liquid dish soap does not work the same as powdered dishwasher soap. You're dishes will remain dirty, but the floor around your dishwasher will get cleaned.

Backward Thinking

I'm really chapped today. Maybe I shouldn't blog while I'm upset, but I need to vent.

I applied to this missions agency that I really admired. They have vision, growth, and opportunities for carpenters. Their rep (whom I know well) agreed that I would be a good fit. I was really excited, and I felt like I could see God putting the pieces together.

They called me today to let me know that they got my app, and I am not qualified for long-term placement with them because...get this...I'm a single parent. Ya, no big surprise, but after I hung up, the more I thought about it the more irritated I became. You see, the nervous, young lady that called rambled on about company policy regarding separating children from their mother (as if that's an issue). Then, she went on to say that if I -- (wait for it) -- were remarried, then the divorce wouldn't be an issue! Talk about backward; that is so absurd...I -- I -- I'm okay; it's policy...not her fault.

Apart from that she said explained that most teams would not want a single parent because the person would be distracted by obligations to the kids. That might be so...if my children were pets, furniture, handicapped, immature, or dead weight, but on the contrary, we are potentially a team within a team. My children are simply younger missionaries. We are a four for one deal. They can be a blessing and tool for the team and agency that has the right perspective and strategy.

I guess, they are simply not the agency God has for us. As I told the misguided, young lady, I will continue to look for another agency.

Holiday Past

It's Saturday, and the holiday week is almost over. The kids are back, and I'm facing the typical, penny-pinching January. It's been a great week off. I removed my kitchen cabinets (again), rewired and rocked three walls, installed the cabinets with new counter tops and new light fixtures, and new paint and extras (thanks to Sandie Runyon) in the kitchen and bathroom.

It really looks good. I can say this not because of the craftsmanship, but because anything was an improvement. You see, for the past six months or so, we've been without all our counter tops, operating with one bare bulb hanging form the ceiling, exposed plumbing and electrical in the walls, etc. It does save on groceries when the kids don't want to go in the kitchen, but I don't recommend the strategy.

The week was good inspite the messy house, the kids being gone, failing to supply constant power to the fridge, and battling my first case of pink-eye (There's a story in and of itself).

I noticed my eye was real red, so I asked my medical-sauve friend, Oleta, "What's up with my eye?" She immediately diagnosed it as Pink-eye. So I got online to see what kind of home remedies I could find. The results were encouraging and yet...equally disturbing: sleeping with wet tea bags on your eyes, rinse eyes with peroxide, rubbing alcohol, breast milk, or even seminal fluid. Most reported substantial progress overnight. It seemed like this would be a simple challenge. Granted, the only one I tried was the tea bags, but there was no real benefit. After a day or two, I found myself at the pharmacy purchasing antibiotics.

Anyway, My eyes are much better and the house looks good...to us, and if I may add a spiritual insight to all this, I have this chronological Bible I like to read. It gives suggested readings for each day of the year, and while the rest of Christendom is looking to the Gospels for the Christmas story, this week, the chronological Bible simply sees it as the end of the year, and therefore, the suggested reading is in Revelation, about the end times. Today, I read about the woman who gives birth and how the elders around the throne tell God that the time has come to begin His reign on earth (Rev. 12&13). What a cool parallel to the Christmas season!

eace on earth

So Heidi and Kendra were having it out the other night (half playing; half venting). Heidi came to the kitchen at one point to complain about Kendra not doing her share of the work. I pointed out that if she was in there with me she wasn't working either. Heidi, in a weak defence and a half smile, declared, "I am working...my... finger."

Due to age and personality, Heidi tends to be quicker to the draw in a word exchange, or else she can at least smother the competition in word volume. Kendra happened to be unusually vocal this particular night (yes, it happens, believe me). She tried for a bit to put Heidi in her place, but the only line that I really caught was how she articulated her final point in a ...Christian context...she tried to make it understandable.

She yelled, "NIV version -'SHUT UP!'"

Well, I guess I've taught them one important thing; the translation you use affects the understanding and the impact.

Get'n emo about Christmas

We're "having Christmas" in the morning...Oh, wait, it is morning. We're having Christmas in a few hours, and I just put the presents around the tree. It's beautiful.

I need to take a moment and give God and His servants some props. You see, those gifts really are gifts. I didn't buy them. They were given to us. Money is tight this year, with me in school, and I had to leave Christmas in God's hands (boy that sounds shallow; as if it wasn't before).

Anyway, around Thanksgiving, someone gave me a check to shop for the kids. I'm not a shopper, so I passed it on to some friends, who bought presents for each of the kids. They even wrapped them for me.

Then, I got a call the other day from another friend. He had a bunch of gifts for the Menefees from an anonymous donor. My pride wanted to say no, but they were already purchased, wrapped, and labeled for each of the kids.

It's all just so beautiful, the big bows and gift bags...and the love of family and friends that they represent.

We are so blessed...God is so good. I just went outside, and it's snowing! Can it get any better.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

We all have to manage our resources

Heidi was invited to the mall. I explained that it was going to have to be a spectator sport because I was not going to give her any money. Her face dropped; she took it well. Then, see lit up again, "I found a tooth in my back pack!"

The phases of life are clear; it's the transitions that get blurred.