Category: Random

Stuff that doesn’t fit into a box…like me!

  • It is Here, Even Now

    Wife’s Journal

    “The First Year”
    Entry #41

    I was uncertain.

    It seemed like we were in the clear.

    Either we were lulled into a false sense of security, or my presence no longer intimidates the savage creature.

    It’s stealth and cunning. Ah, it is a clever little thing.

    I thought that perhaps we could be the one home that it did not stalk through. But no.

    Whilst we sat in the other room, unsuspecting, it was there, working its crafty ways.

    Only two. Two unmatched and yet similar, unless you put them on and then glaringly obvious. The shock of discovery.

    I measured the distance from the two rooms and it is minimal, scarcely any length at all. And yet, they are gone. Vanished in the blink of an eye, or rather, a 50 and 46 minute cycle. The cavern is not deep. The back is clearly visible from the opening and yet, they are not to be found.

    How could this be? It is a question that has haunted wives for decades. No good answer can be found. Maybe it’s really a black hole, magically appearing during the spin cycle.

    The sock monster cometh and is here.

  • June Recap

    Here’s a recap of June according to my postcard calendar.

    1st:  Finally marrying Matthew D Martin.

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    2nd:  Lovin’ being married!

    3rd:  Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Reds’ Game! 3-0 Redlegs!

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    4th:  Lovin’ our Homeymoon.

    5th:  Raided Target for our registry items.

    6th:  Union Terminal and Butterflies.

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    7th:  Back to work – Franklin branch.

    8th:  Moving out a futon and moving in boxes.

    9th:  Flour tin is now filled with leftover Skittles from the wedding. (they’ve been moved into the cookie jar since then. There is actually now flour in the flour tin.)

    10th:  Fire truck called to the bank. Darn cleaning crew!

    11th:  Matt widens the door on the shed. He’s so handy.

    12th:  Matt goes back to work. Third shift. 😦

    13th:  Strawberry bread!

    14th:  Matt got me a bat house!!

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    15th:  Star Trek and Red Robin for my birthday. Yummm…

    16th:  Grey’s Anatomy marathon. Just what the doctor ordered.

    17th:  Pizza and Dr. Who!

    18th:  We bought a computer! (It’s an HP Envy…lovin’ it!)

    19th:  Dilly bars from Dairy Queen. Very yummy.

    20th:  Tilapia for dinner.

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    21st:  Researching cow shares in the area. Raw milk, here we come!

    22nd:  Painting bookshelves…and bookcases.

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    23rd:  Lunch at Bob Evans with Matt’s family after church.

    24th:  “Important Dates” gift from the Gantzes.

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    25th:  Olive Garden with Mom and sister. Gifts from Eri in Japan!

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    26th:  Small bookshelf is all finished!

    27th:  Day off! So needed this.

    28th: Bought a bottle of wine and didn’t get carded. Kind of sad.

    29th: Got our wedding photos back!!

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    30th: Visiting Fairfield First Baptist for the first time since the wedding!

  • “Flame of God” by Amy Carmichael

    I first read this poem when I was in college and thought it amazing. Amy Carmichael is my own personal hero and I delight in her many writings. She was a gifted woman who sought to serve God with what she had and where she was. Her own perplexity at why He made her a certain way encourages me beyond what I can say. God has a purpose for us and He reveals that to us in His due time. We might not understand what purpose something has for our lives and our future, but God does not waste a gift. Only we do. Are you grateful for the gifts that may not even seem like a gift?

    Anyway, I love this poem. She’s asking God to not let her shy away from the challenge that she may face – to stand bold for Him and to even pursue the hard tasks. She even asks to be spent completely in His glory. I can only attempt the same.

    ———————

    From prayer that asks that I may be
    Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
    From fearing when I should aspire,
    From faltering when I should climb higher
    From silken self, O Captain, free
    Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

    From subtle love of softening things,
    From easy choices, weakenings,
    (Not thus are spirits fortified,
    Not this way went the Crucified)
    From all that dims Thy Calvary
    O Lamb of God, deliver me.

    Give me the love that leads the way,
    The faith that nothing can dismay
    The hope no disappointments tire,
    The passion that will burn like fire;
    Let me not sink to be a clod;
    Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God