Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Live is Alive

"There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10. I was joining the party as I watched Ed Kowalczyk of the band Live perform last Tuesday night! Listening to their last couple of albums 10 or more years ago lead me to pray for the writer of the songs. They sounded like the author was so close to finding Jesus yet was still searching. Brock and I would pray for Ed Kowalczyk as we drove down the road listening to lyrics like "I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth, I look at the sunset and I perceive."

Last year, Ed gave his life to the Lord. Yahoo! I cannot tell you what joy that brings to my soul! I've seen Live in concert years ago, but there was something so special about the concert I saw last week. I remember praying that entire concert so many years ago. This time, I was celebrating! I soaked up every word. Ed talked about how he loved singing these songs from this new perspective in Jesus. Every time I have seen Ed live he is always passionate, but this time there was something else as well...it was written all over his face and colored his every expression...JOY. Thank you Jesus for the joy only You can bring in our lives and thank you for drawing this man unto Yourself. Thanks for Your salvation!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine's Day

I had a great day with Brock yesterday. We went into town early afternoon so he could get a massage (his back is getting much better lately). Then, we sat on a blanket at the park in the exceptionally warm, beautiful sun and ate truffles from the Cocoa Tree and read our books. After that, we went to see a matinee movie. We had some time to kill before our dinner reservations, so we strolled through the bookstore and browsed a store specializing in olive oil. We tried all kinds of unique olive oil. When the waitress at the seafood restaurant asked us if we wanted any appetizers, we declined since we had just had some samples at the olive oil place. Dinner was great just as the whole day was.

I planned a lot of the day since I am the planner. However, Brock got the reservations. Also, Brock gave me the best present ever...quality time. He turned off his cell phone as soon as we began our date. That was amazing!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Compassionate Empathist

I learned something about myself last week. I am a compassionate empath. I heard a speaker talk about three types of empathy. You can be a cognitive empath like counselors who can hear people's stresses all day and know their problems. However, when they go home, all of the complaints they have been hearing is put out of their minds. An emotional empath feels people's problems. A compassionate empath actually acts as if the problem is their own. That's how I am!

This explains so much. I am an extravert yet I need some time alone. I get drained when I pray hard for others. The biggest lightbulb that went off was how much I was not suited to be a social worker. The day one of my clients did not show up because she was hospitalized after trying to commit suicide the night before was the day I decided to seek another career. Luckily, Brock and I were about to get married and begin our new ministry together.

The speaker said that compassionate empaths are great at helping others, but they need to choose who and when to help. Otherwise, they feel obligated and end up resenting the ones they are helping because they give so much of themselves. I am processing what this means for me. I am trying to learn more about this and myself.

Friday, February 04, 2011

Crazy, Spontaneous Day

Have you ever woken up one morning and thought, "I don't want to do anything I am supposed to do. Instead, I want to be crazy and rebellious!" This is how I felt yesterday. I was so itching to do something so out of the normal that I googled "Crazy and spontaneous things to do." I found a list of 105, but they were stupid. On the list were things like: "Get sent to jail," and "Get your heart broken." Those don't sound very crazy or spontaneous to me.

Then, I looked up to see if there was a wedding going on. (I have always wanted to crash a wedding.) However, they don't just announce weddings online. Plus, it was Thursday...not a big wedding day normally.

Then, it hit me! I did some more research and texted my friend who I was meeting shortly. We were planning on going to a coffee shop. I told her to wear her bathing suit under her clothes because I had a crazy idea. She didn't hesitate. She said that sounded good. I knew she'd be up for it.

I walked into a hotel that had an indoor hot tub. I was dressed like I would be headed down to the pool with sweats and t-shirt as well as flip flops (the the trip through the parking lot was rather cold considering it was 32 degrees). You must have a hotel key to get into the pool area, so my plan was to knock on the door and ask someone that was already in there to open it for me. However, I could see through the window that nobody was swimming. The heated pool and spacious whirlpool looked so inviting. I sat down near the pool entrance and the elevator. By this time, my friend had joined me. We were trying to device a plan to get in. The lobby was so dead this random Thursday. I watched as a few workers passed by, but nobody who looked like they would open the door for me without any questions.

We discussed whether I should just go to the desk and simply explain that I stay in this chain of hotels often (we are diamond members if that tells you how much we stay) and when I stay on bussiness, I usually don't get the time to take advantage of the hot tub. I was in a sneaky mood, though. This would be the easy way out if they even allowed it.

Just then, I saw a worker walk toward the pool. I jumped up and followed him. When he got to the door, he said, "Going in?" A nervous giggle slipped out as I said yes. Then, he held the door for me and that was it. We were in!

We had fun just hanging out together and talking while soaking in the hot tub. Next time, it's going to be difficult to go back to our normal coffee shop.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Feels Like a Week

Late Sunday afternoon, we flew to Toronto, Canada. Our flight was delayed, so we did not get there until midnight. Then, our luggage was delayed because the door to get the luggage kept freezing (Canada is cold my friends, VERY cold). Therefore, we did not get to our hotel until after 1am.

Then, Monday morning, we got up and went with the Billy Graham crew (we were doing some shows for BGA) to Kitchener which was about an hour and a half drive. There we set up and performed at a school there. Right after that, we went to a prison for 14 to 18 year old guys. There Brock showed them some magic and shared the gospel. It was amazing. Those guys looked much older than teenagers. They were very hard. However, Brock told them about the Lord in a way that they could relate and understand. I just prayed for them the whole time. This was one of the coolest things we did while we were in Canada.

After we left the detention center, we went to a church to set up to do a banquet. This banquet was to kick off the year of ministry the BGA are going to be doing in Kitchener area. We will be a part of it next April by doing a big FX. I felt a little awkward at first. Banquets are a tough place to do a show, because everyone is a little stiff. However, Brock got them laughing and really encouraged them by sharing some from his heart. I think everyone there, including me, is excited about what is going to take place in this area for the next several months.

Tuesday morning, they picked us up bright and early to take us to perform at another school, see the venue for next year, lunch, and another school assembly that afternoon. Then it was onto the airport. We spent an hour waiting in line at customs and the rest of the night on planes. I got in my bed last night a little after midnight. When you have a schedule like that, it feels more like a week than just 2 days!