Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Chicken Soup for the Soul

I am sick.

I have the runny nose, congestion, drainage, and today the tickle in the throat signifying those oncoming coughing spells. The Kleenex box and I have become good buddies in the last two days.

I was starting to feel sorry for myself about having to continue on at work and not having any time to get sick...but also that I didn't have anyone to "pamper" me...you know, how you miss your mom babying you when you don't feel well?

Well, to my surprise, about 1:15 this afternoon, I was hacking my way through a piano lesson, when who would knock on my office door but my Lafayette "Mom"--Amy Knolhoff! (Technically, she's more the age of a big sister, but...never mind...) In she pops and hands me a little baggie with Motrin, Sudafed, a multivitamin, and zinc tablets. Then she gives me a bottle of water and a bottle of Diet 7up AND a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup! And she gives me "doctor's orders" to take the pills IMMEDIATELY. Of course, I complied. And the chicken noodle soup was SO GOOD! What a wonderful surprise! It's so neat to see God provide a friend like this one to encourage me!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Amazing Race All-Stars

I apologize for the frivolity of this post--especially to those of you who could care less--but the Amazing Race All-Stars started last night!

There were some people I would have liked to see back in the race (hippies, Tyler & James, Colin & Christie); I don't think the teams are as tough as they could be, but it is fun to see Rob & Amber back in it. I know you either love 'em or you hate 'em, and while I can't really sanction the necessity of someone winning aNOTHER million dollars (Amber already won a million on Survivor), I would much rather watch people who are really competitive and know how to play the GAME and make it interesting. Thus I am glad to see Rob & Amber around again and have to admit I am rooting for them to do well!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Blizzard of '07

As many of you know, Lafayette has experienced its biggest snowfall in about 30 years, I believe. We received about 17 inches from Tuesday to Wednesday.

And, of course, we had already canceled school for the week due to the Biblical Counseling Training Conference going on at church. So was I able to enjoy the "snow days" and take some time off to sit down and sip my hot chocolate while enjoying watching the snow fall from inside in my nice cozy warm house? Of course not! I was out shoveling my way out so my parents and my guest and my sister and I could go across the street to the conference--which MUST go on--and helping out fill in for people that couldn't make it. "No rest for the weary."

Oh, you want pictures? Of course! Here they are:





Happy Valentine's Day!


This has been the running joke throughout the February conference this year. Word got out that apparently the White Castle sign has had up on it "Make your Valentine's Day Reservations Now" with a phone number. So the teasing has been going on that this is where husbands should take their wives for Valentine's Day! So yesterday the sound techs put this picture up on the screen before Pastor Viars got ready to give a talk in the auditorium.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

My Dad

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. Since he's not a woman, I'm sure he wouldn't mind me sharing his age: he is now 62 years old. He is now enjoying some of the Senior discounts that come with (ahem) old age...

My dad grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with his parents and 3 sisters. He liked hunting with his dog(s) and blowing things up in his chemistry shack. He eventually went on to Michigan Tech University to study organic chemistry. After graduating and getting a job at DOW chemical near Flint, Michigan, he met a Baptist pastor who challenged his thinking. He had grown up Lutheran and had been saved as a boy in the Lutheran church. While in Flint he attended a Lutheran church for Sunday mornings, but they didn't have an evening service, so he went to a small Baptist church (Baptists are generally known for having MULTIPLE services a week)! I'm not sure of the whole story, but I believe he was baptized and eventually joined the Baptist church. The pastor was a big influence on him and encouraged him to attend Bible college. He decided to get more schooling at Faith Baptist Bible College (in Iowa), and there met my mother. They got married and decided God was leading them into missions here in America by planting churches. So they joined what is now Continental Baptist Missions and set out to raise support. After deputation they moved to the Upper Peninsula to start a church in Marquette, ended up in Ishpeming...and that was a little more than 30 years ago. They are no longer church planting as the church "graduated" about 5 years ago, but they are still pastoring the "flock" there in the U.P.--a place I'd go back to in a heartbeat if I felt God was leading me back.

My Dad and I are pretty similar in that we have the same even-keeled personalities and like to do a lot of the same kinds of outdoor activities. Dad is pretty musical too in that he has a great ear for music and plays the trombone and guitar very well. My Dad was my age when he got married, and it is true that your perspective changes as you get older. I am so thankful that Dad made the choices he did and that he has been faithful to be obedient to God's working in his life. While he is of course not a perfect man I am thankful that God has given us to each other. Some of my memories of growing up with Dad are all the things he taught me: playing football or catch with my brother and me, teaching me how to fish, teaching me how to drive (and drive a stick shift), teaching me how to mow the lawn, garden, wash the car, hang pictures--he's the REAL handyman around the house. (He can fix ANYTHING!) Thankfully I learned a few of those tips which have come in extremely handy in having my own house.

However, I am glad that Dad is still around to fix stuff for me and give me advice. I don't know what I'd do without him! And, by the way, Dad, I do have a SMALL list of stuff to look at when you are here next week...I love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!

Monday, February 05, 2007

Super Bowl XLI Winners

CONGRATULATIONS PEYTON MANNING & TONY DUNGY!

So I briefly texted my friend Jackie in Chicago last night after the game to offer my "condolences." It went like this:
Me: "How bout dem colts? ;)"
A minute later...
Jackie: "Whatever. Haha"