Today I was looking through a Good Housekeeping magazine and saw some markers that I purchased and was unnecessarily thrilled at the thought that I bought something that is in a magazine!

Bell Ringers...

The first "bad bell ringer" experience I remember having was once while mom, Shannon, and I were shopping at a Christian bookstore, Parables - perhaps, and Shannon said, "What are those annoying bells?" and then we saw the Salvation Army bell ringer...awesome.
Today I went to Walmart after work to buy groceries for dinner. I had my window down when I pulled into the parking lot and heard the tell-tale ding-ding. I decided to park at the Garden Center entrance. I shop around, go through the check lane...everything's hunky-dory and then I go to leave. Remembering that I parked at the Garden Center doors, I get my receipt out so Wally knows my purchases are legit. He looks at me and goes, "You don't have shifty eyes - you can go ahead." And I laugh at this and he shoots me a cute old man grin and then in an instant his face went completely stern and serious and he said, "But go straight home!!!" and raised his voice at me. It was very strange and funny.

At the table...

There is a place I love to go. It is not exceptional in anyway, although beautifully adorned with decor and rich with memories. It is not well known to many as the place to go on a Tuesday night but for most of the last year of my life it has been a sanctuary. Mrs. Milliken, the wife of the NCC president, has been hosting a minister's wives Bible study group in her home. We have had guest speakers, recipe swaps, and visited the homeless. We have, well, I have shared tears and hurts and fears and concerns around their table and in their living room. Inside jokes were born standing around the kitchen island and thick, saturated conversation was had in the living room. From the tile in the entry way to the screen door I struggle to open, that house has become a home for me. Not my home...but a place where I feel at home. This coming Tuesday will be the last time I sit with my ladies around that table or in that delicious furniture and I must confess that the sadness I have at that thought is the greatest I have come across in all my wonderings about what moving to Pennsylvania will be like. The distance is surmountable. The internet, telephone, and postal service provide lines of communication. And the time apart witll make the time together that much more special...But I don't know if I will ever again get to sit with my friends, sisters, and mentors around that oval table or stand around that kitchen island while I wait for the water to warm up for apple cider. And I don't know if I will ever again see the photograph of Karolyn's mother with her Bible in her lap...just her Bible and her hands but it is the richest picture I've ever seen...from the aged fingers to the worn pages...
I'm thankful for the times we have had together and for the lessons learned, the burdens lifted, and the prayers shared. They mean more than even I knew. Thanks, if you read this, for offering your home, wisdom, and comfort. Alisa, Amy, Mirjam, Chelsea, and Becky - thanks for your listening ears, prayerful support, and always making me feel loved. You hold beautiful places in my heart and I will always keep you there.

Don't always follow your instincts...and definetly not mine.

I woke up this morning to the beautiful time of 4:00am. I stayed in bed until 4:21am and then hopped on the computer ( I am so becoming my mother). "What better time to peruse iTunes?" I think to myself, so I jump on and start purchasing music with a gift card I received. A little bit of Jason Mraz, the Wicked soundtrack..."Hey," my thoughts interrupt me, "what was that one Miley Cyrus song...Party in the USA!" I find it and buy it. Then I hop in the shower while I wait for my downloads to finish and I say, "I can't believe I just bought that silly song by that silly girl my silly preschoolers just love..." Feeling foolish I begin to reassure myself, "It's ok, Haley. You like the song and that's all that matters." Then I recall a quote from an interview where a teacher was on trial for having an affair with a student of hers..."But we're in love...I really like him." Perhaps my feelings shouldn't be the deal-sealer for me as far as my music purchases go.
Over and out.

Long day...

The only thing I fear in this world more than a dentist is God Himself...and Willie and I have appointments this afternoon. It has been literally years for both of us and it's been kind of cool to see how random chunks of money have come in to perhaps help pay for whatever lies ahead as far as the health and welfare of our teeth and gums goes...
We did get in to see Dr. Curry who is a Christian and we know some of his family so that is helping me cope and I break into a cold sweat looking at the monitor of my laptop just thinking about filling out the paperwork. Pray for me please; and I mean that in all seriousness. I'm terrified. OVer and out.