afternoon snack

"Would you like a taste of this?"
"Well, what flavor do you have there, Mr. Herb?"
"Oh, there really isn't a flavor to it," he said as he observed the carton of his apparently vanilla protein shake, a perfect combination with his afternoon snack of cottage cheese.
"You know what, I think I'm fine just as I am," I said, respectfully declining the straw-sip of powder-to-water magic of a shake.
"You sure?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you, though."

Forty-five seconds pass.

"Would you like a sip of this?"
"Well, I think I'll have to pass this time. I had rice krispie treats for lunch. I'm trying to watch my figure, you know," respectfully declining, again.
"You sure?"
"Yes, sir. Thanks so much, though."

Thirty seconds pass.

"Would you like my shake here? It's vanilla they tell me."
"You know what, I'm really just fine. I've got my water bottle here, and it is filling me up just nicely."
"You sure?"
"Yes, sir. Very kind of you to offer, though. Maybe next week when I stop in it will be chocolate. You can bet I'll have a sip of that!"

Thirty seconds pass.

Mr. Herb sucks the protein shake carton dry.
"Oh, I've hit the bottom."
"Sounds like it," I noticed.
"Oh no. What have I done," Mr. Herb horrifically gasped. "I just drank this whole shake and didn't even offer you one sip."
"Oh, Mr. Herb, no bother really. You know, I've been drinking my water here, and I'm doing just fine. Don't worry about that at all. Sounds like you enjoyed it, down to the last drop!"
"I didn't. But you don't understand. Don't you see? You would have found more satisfaction in this than I did. You should have had it. I can't believe myself...not offering you even a sip. You would have loved it...."

Again I comforted Mr. Herb, reassuring him that I'd take him up on the chocolate shake next week.

Mr. Herb won't remember me next week when I bounce in his barren room in the Siloam Springs Nursing Home, and take him for a whirl in his wheel chair. He won't remember that my name is Jennifer and that he offers me his protein shake upwards of 10 times a visit. This is the heart-wrenching dialogue that occurs over and over again with Alzheimer's patients. But I will remember his generosity. Mr. Herb and his "vanilla" protein shake taught me that if I see that another person will find more satisfaction in my wealth, no matter if it is in a carton, on a hanger, or in my wallet, I should offer it. I should offer whatever I have, again and again and again. Mr. Herb is the most giving person I know, even if he doesn't realize it anymore.

foggy jurisprudence

ewwwwww. It's foggy today. The only thing that I like about fog is that it reminds me of one of my favorite "chapter books" from my wonder years. I think the book even came with a locket. Or, maybe that was a princess book. Ah... the glory days. Now, I'm stuck with Law and Jurisprudence in American History. ewwwwwwwww.

VS.


(I don't think Law and Jurisprudence ever won any Newburry Honors...)

Book Description

Greta had always loved the fog—the soft gray mist that rolled in from the sea and drifted over the village. The fog seemed to have a secret to tell her. Then one day when Greta was walking in the woods and the mist was closing in, she saw the dark outline of a stone house against the spruce trees—a house where only an old cellar hole should have been. Then she saw a surrey come by, carrying a lady dressed in plum- colored silk. The woman beckoned for Greta to join her, and soon Greta found herself launched on an adventure that would take her back to a past that existed only through the magic of the fog.

VS.

Book Description

Originally published in 1980, this text was the first casebook in the field of American legal history. It encouraged the formation of the modern discipline of American legal history, sought to create a canon for the field, and is now regarded as a classic compilation. There are two main alterations or additions to this edition. The first is a reworking of the slavery materials in Chapter Four, substituting the testimony of the slaves themselves. The second major change in the book is the addition of materials regarding the impeachment and trial of President Clinton.

...you decide...
I've cast my vote.

smile-wrinkles

I heard the most beautiful laugh today. I was walking down the stairwell in my dorm. A hearty gaffaw billowed through the staircase. It was more than gutteral, it was thick and full of energy. I didn't want it to end. I looked to see who was sending out sounds of such joy, and it was just a girl. Tall girl, I've seen her around. But her laugh...oh my...her laugh. It made me think of beauty. As I continued on my way, my destination became fuzzy and all I could think about was Jesus. I know, strange twist. Why would a laugh send me pondering my Savior? I wondered what his laugh sounded like. I know he laughed...he must have. He hung out with Peter. I even laugh at Peter. But, what did it sound like when Jesus was joyful? Was his a belly laugh? A wheeze? The laugh that never ends? A hissy, leaky-baloon laugh? The silent laugh? What did his eyes look like when he laughed? Did he ever have that 'I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard' feeling? Now I can only think of seeing His face. I want to see the face of purest joy, and feel the purest joy, together with the Creator of the universe. Come, Lord Jesus. Let's laugh together, forever.

whoosh...here I come again.

What's up with the wind? It's like this crazy stong force, but I can't see it. I'm just walking along and it decides to blow my feet right out from under me. I pick up a foot to step and *whoosh* there it goes, whirling off toward the right or left, off the path of my sauntering. You know the feeling.

It happens to my spirit, just like my feet. I'm just cruising along, on fire for the Word of God, every morning, noon, and night. The only thing that satisfies me is the Word. Then, here it comes, without notice or sound. *whoosh* I'm depleated, disinterested, unfocused, lazy. The devil sneaks in like the wind and tries to knock me off course, and just when I feel like my steps are in line. Sneak attack.

But, there's victory in Jesus. He won't let some sneaky, earthly, slithering, scoundrel-of-a-creature have the best of his friend. He's mightier. He will fight for me. He sets my feet on solid ground and says *whoosh* to the devil himself.

That old tune seeps back in....There's pow'r, pow'r, wonder workin' pow'r. There's pow'r in the blood of the Lamb.

It might take all I have to stay focused, alert, attentive, desiring, thirsty. But I wouldn't imagine giving any less. Take my life. Consecrate it. Plant my feet, Lord Jesus....and come quickly. I want to see your face.

phew...

Have no fear, Barbie still makes phones. This phone happened after my previous phone was bit by my car door. Luckily, the color pink has not, nor will ever go out of style. But, living on a budget (new year's resolution), has provided me this gem of a phone. It was seriously the cheapest, oldest, used phone Sprint could afford to sell for an outrageous price.
PS: Please call me. All of my phone numbers were lost in the "incident."

stitches

A piece of the Turkish tapestry now gracefully hanging above my bed. 

excellency

So, here it is...the New Year's Post (just 1.5 weeks late)
I resolve to do things better. 'Intentionality' is the buzz word for me this year. I shant procrastinate....never ever again. I really do want to stick to the to-do list in my head, rather than put it off, put it off, put it off, until I'm crazy. I was challenged by Louie G. at the Passion 06 conference to do things with excellency, all for the glory of God. The end result of my new-found productivity will be more glory for God through my life, I hope. Its not about me. It never was.

In an effort to approach all things with excellency in mind, here are some things I've learned during my first few days of classes. Keep in mind, "Basic Economics" would have gone in one ear and out the other in my old frame of mind, along with anything said in my legal history class.

Toyota has more market shares than GM in the United States.

Jurisprudence can be defined as the 'love of the knowledge of law.'

2001: A Space Odyssey was filmed in 1968.

I think my lit. class should be quite interesting. We're reading Gilgamesh for the first few weeks. Talk about old...It is the oldest recorded literature....ever. Plus, the teacher reminds me of my P.E. coach from elementary school-- redhead with freckles. "I recommend copious amounts of caffeine," he said, when giving tips for staying alert in class.

Other ramblings:
Check out Charlie Hall's new CD...when it is released (1.24.06)

If you have an extra hour on your hands, do the "Kneel" prayer journey. This was offered at the Passion 06 conference, but I didn't get a chance to experience it while I was there.

And, while you're in the praying mood, please consider joining the "21 Days of Prayer and Fasting" with others from our generation, praying for more message bearers, zealous for the Lord's renown. Read about it here

Pleasure doing business with you...