Connect the Dots

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. dot 1 - Generosity
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... dot 2 - Encouragement
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.. dot 3 - Support
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.. dot 4 - Joy...
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.. dot 5 - Love . .
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My intention is not to change but inspire you.

Do you remember as a child the amount of activities in school requiring you to connect-the-dots? Perhaps, it was your parent or family member who liked to buy you activity books with the game.

Being a person who loved puzzles, the idea of putting dots together seldom seemed bothersome. In fact, there were times when I found it a relief to have mindless work, where I could get out some crayons or color pencils and show my creativity and skills. On a few occasions I would become a little perturbed with how easy this game of making a picture was (e.g., knowing it was of a Christmas tree or banana), but I still went along and did the assignment or went through the entire activity book.

So, as an adult, what on earth could a game like connect-the-dots have to do with my world now? While I am an educator, that is not the purpose. For two weeks in a row, I have attended church an had the message to speak loud volumes to me about how I am living, what I am doing, and (more importantly) answering the questions I continue to visit in prayer. At times, it is pretty mind-boggling...almost a bit scary...yet in the same moment there is relief.

This idea takes two directions...

There are current dots in my life I continue to try to connect, and I feel as though the "big" picture is not turning into the masterpiece it's meant to be. For me, this hurts because like a good child and student I am putting everything in it (e.g. love, support, etc.) but can't seem to have a nice return. Yep, I know that is screaming rip that puppy up and move on to an easier puzzle or new challenge. The stubbornness in me desires to keep at it, thinking that perhaps the fault isn't in the creation but the one trying to do the puzzle...The truth is, though, maybe the issue isn't puzzle or the person doing the puzzle but that it's not meant to be solved.

In another thought, there is beauty in knowing that I don't ever have to worry about the BIG picture because as long as I am faithful in following God's will and walking in my purpose, the dots connecting and path followed--the good and bad--will lead me to the masterpiece He desires. And, isn't that really what it is all about?

I am defeated but never destroyed. I am tested but will not grow tired.

There is a systematic order to the game connect-the-dots, and for this I am grateful. There is a lesson in discipline, obedience, and following. As puzzling as it is, we've got to keep at the bigger game called life, knowing that it was never meant that we live life in sadness, depression or with a feeling of worthlessness. If I cannot be of good or use to another's dot connecting, I've got to go back to my own and ensure I am moving to the proper dot on the page.

First I had to find the boat...

Recently, in a television interview on Wendy Williams, Jennie Garth shared information about the relationship between her and her husband. They've been married for quite a few years but were together several before getting married. Garth shared that her husband confessed that he needed to "make sure the boat was strong enough to cross the ocean."

What a powerful and enlightening thought for anyone considering "sailing". I mean here is an analogy that really does reflect the journey of marriage--through the sunny days of calm and peace at sea to the storms that come, tossing the boat and beating it with harsh waves...Isn't that a relationship? Can the boat endure? Like the boat, a marriage "carries" precious cargo and there is a destination or purpose.

So, this quote has stayed with me since the day the interview aired, and in many ways I can relate due to the fact that similar words have parted the lips of the man I am talking to. And, in many ways, I agree. We move forward knowing who and what we desire in this life--each other, but this process is quite a bit of a slow one (in my eyes), which leads me to question how confident we are in this boat's abilities. Maybe it isn't the boat but its sails, or the color, or the wood chosen? I don't know...While I work to remain patient, there are truths I know as a woman and in having close male friends. I suppose the final word will be that of God's, and I have to trust that no matter the outcome all things are working for me (Romans 8:28).

Cleanliness is next to...

In keeping with the saying, today's major task and focus was a physical cleaning of house. As I go through this process of purging, putting away and storing things, I am reminded that with new, fresh surroundings there is likely going to be some form of change coming. I welcome it. I welcome the next chapter and journey--whether it be in my personal or professional life. I feel it and know it is time.

On that note, I am going to rest and reflect on the promises of the Lord. I know that because I have taken what seems like a normal and natural process of just cleaning there is something bigger coming...While I may feel it has been delayed, I know there is something I have to learn in the bigger scheme of things...something I'm being prepared for...Obedience is far greater than sacrifice.

Here's the J. Garth interview from Wendy...

Albeit, a year ago today pop legend sensation, Michael Jackson, passed away, ipads and the iphone 4 are sweeping the nation, and there is still a big ol' oil spill in the Gulf, summer vacation is the only thing that has my attention. The excitement is being motivated and spurred by the fact that I'm actually out of the office for a few days--the longest amount of time I believe I've ever taken at one time, which is pretty sad! But, hey, new beginnings for all things, eh?

So, I must admit that since Monday afternoon, the days have been productive, fun, and memorable. Let's recap...


MONDAY *** Eating out once a week...

One of my closest girlfriends and I have decided that once a week we'll be dining at different spots in the Hampton Roads area, and our first stop: FIVE GUYS. While she'd eaten at the infamous location, this was my first time. What's terrible is I have a FIVE GUYS in walking distance from where I live, but I've yet to have the opportunity to go. The burger and fry joint is supposedly better than that other popular burger spot I frequent (with the Golden arches). Some even debate what could have been for this business had it begun before the latter mentioned spot. Either way, being the lover of cheeseburgers that I am, I was pretty pleased. The peanut oil added a nice flavor enhancement to the burger and fries. However, I was not pleased with the malt vinegar that they encourage patrons to dip their fries in--no thanks!








TUESDAY *** Maxwell together with Jill Scott in VA Beach...

Let's just say both performances were awesome and simply memorable. We were out there in record breaking temperatures, and I have a whole new appreciation for musicians. Jill and Maxwell were dressed in outfits that just looked hot but they both made the tasks of entertaining an audience look easy as 1-2-3.




WEDNESDAY *** Productivity at its best...

I took the day to knock out some of the many things on my to do list. I did not let the getting home in the 1 o'clock hour from the concert due to part of the bridge being closed stop me from an early start. From going to get my bridesmaid dress tailored to grocery shopping -- GO ME, the list kept getting items scratched through and marked off.

The high point of the day? Well, I have more recently been experimenting with stylists. I hate getting my hair done, mainly because of how long I end up under the chair. My favorite brag story to tell others is about the time when I went to this shop, arriving at least 20 minutes before my appointment, which was like at 10 AM. I did not leave the salon until like 3:45 PM. The woman who did my hair left, went out to lunch, had me under the dryer for like 500 hours!!! While my hair turned out FABULOUS that day, I did not go back to hair salon for a good 3 or 4 years after that experience. And, if it's not the time I'm dealing with, it is the costs. Apparently, my hair is "long", thus I get charged more.

WELL, I've located a spot that is owned by Dominicans. They speak no English but can do hair--quickly and at a decent rate. Sooooo, I figured I'd get my hair done in the midst of my errand running. Problem 1 came when the woman who has been doing my hair was not in the shop. Fail. I shared with the little girl, who spoke broken English, what I needed done. She relayed it to the stylist, and they immediately had me to go back to get my hair washed. However, what was shared was due to my hair being long I'd be charged more---OH NO NO NO! I expressed that on Mondays and Wednesdays--in my own broken Spanish--I always got discounts and today should be no different: viente cinco?! "Si, viente cinco," replied the little girl after going back and forth between myself and the stylist. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...Problem 2 came when I had finally settled in for the hair washing and began to immediately notice how warm it was. They're doing some construction in the shop, so I figured that was why the doors were all opened. The more I sat I realized there was no AIR CONDITION in that piece. The cool/luke warm water on my scalp was refreshing. Additionally, I had my drink from the breakfast I had picked up. It was when I got under that dryer I began to feel "hace mucho calor"--crazy! I had to get under the dryer TWICE. By the second time, there was sweat dripping me off me...

My retelling this lovely story will never do justice to actually being there. All I can say is, I had to rededicate my life to Christ, knowing if Hell felt any bit as hot as that shop did, I did not want ANY of it.

THURSDAY *** Adventures in Colonial Williamsburg...

After an uneventful day inside, I decided to catch a bite to eat in Colonial Williamsburg and a take a walk with one of my friends. It was SO hot out--warmer than when we did the concert, but we had a ball being goofy and skipping along the cobblestone and unpaved walk-ways...These are the days when I really get why I love where I live and beauty of Virginia...







Yay for summer vacation!!!

Precious Cargo

Over the past weekend, I spent a better part of my time in airports. One truth that holds true is since the attacks of 9/11, the practices and routines of travel via air have changed--for better or worse. In particular, crossing and making it through security can be the most daunting and intense process one may ever face in life--yes, yes, call it hyperbole, but I know there is some truth in my proclamations! There are rules and laws to abide by in what can or cannot be taken aboard with you. This would not be such a huge ordeal if the economy and budget issues had not pushed airlines into the corner of now having to charge folks for checking bags. While I'd much prefer to travel light as I make my way through the dooms of hell--I mean security--I now go into total panic and stress mode days before having to go on my trips and vacations that should be under the category of pleasure or relaxation. You can only have liquids of a certain size packaged a specific way. Items like razors and other personal luxuries are a no no. And, I haven't even hit the strip down search...One must dress appropriately, yet comfortable enough to be able to get out of shoes, coats, etc. to allow the proper checks and pat downs. And, again, I realize these precautions help maintain safety, I am merely commenting on the exhaustion and pain I feel in travels. I really am leading up to a point in all of this.

So, I now have my one item of luggage that must fit the compartment of the plane, depending the plane type, as well as a carry on item that must be suitable to fitting under one's seat or can also go into the luggage compartment. I am a woman--let's just say I carry two suitcases! This whole two pieces gets me each time. I know folks are staring at me, just like I am staring at them to help each other justify the size of the bags we have carried with us and refuse to check-in. The airline stewardess of one of my travels played the "how many bags do you have" game with me, unwilling to allow me to go pass to my seat until I counted my purse as a bag. ((JERK!)) However, going back to security and the entire process, on one these travel adventures I truly felt like I had been sent back in time to slavery or the Holocaust, being stripped of all I am and made to feel less than human. Forgive my harshness but I am serious. At an airport up North (I'll leave state and name unmentioned), the security seriously thought themselves to be the gestapo. The "SS Guard" barked orders and made rude comments to any of us who were "non-compliant". It was harsh, brutal, and all of us were really trying to be good passengers and citizen minding our business only desiring to get to our destination. We were clueless as to how we had pissed this man and his crew off--how had we produced such hatred and disdain in their hearts? Extreme? Yes, which is exactly how a reality series was able to be made on the experiences in airports. No, really--the series existed and I saw a few of the episodes.

Soooooo, in all my brokenness, I made it safely through another experience with security, which was actually pretty decent for such an intrusive process. As I sighed and complained and went through the woes of this tormenting cycle, it was like God sent an angel to me in the midst to show me the error of my ways. ((And, I was traveling under the influence of medication, so maybe it was a hallucination, but it was so very clear.)) I had to stop to count my many blessings, as I have been fortunate to never have to travel via plane (or really anywhere) alone with a child under the age of 8. I came across more than one mother traveling alone with their small child, and was immediately made humble. I suppose I had nothing better to do after experiencing as many delays as I did this weekend. People watching became a bit of a hobby/habit that entertained and made the time go by a little faster.

In one airport, a mother and her son had been traveling since 5 AM that morning. The woman was trying to make it to NY and had come up from Florida. Now, by the time she and I crossed paths it was well into the dinner hour and she was only at the midpoint in even reaching the final destination. She was done! She yelled at her mom on the cell phone--how I know her whole story. Meanwhile, her little man was "off the chain". He would not listen and continued to ask and ask and ask questions. She took him to grab some dinner in one of the restaurants. They had cereal, which he cried for. They came back to the sitting area where he accidentally dropped some on the floor. Mom said, "Ah! Do not pick that up and eat it." Of course, he did. It welcomed challenge. She tried to reason with him. He protested in the joy of eating like the fifth piece of cereal he had not intentionally started throwing on the ground, "It tastes okay to me, Mom. I don't know what you mean that it is bad. It's not gross." The final straw came when the little guy was told by his mother not to turn his bottle of chocolate milk upside down. He did and everywhere it went on him and the floor. The tears, the crying, the apologies all came like a hurricane.

Situation number two. Different airport. Different day. Grandmother, Mother, and child were traveling and patiently waiting for their delayed flight. I quickly picked up on the fact that the little guy was another whopper just by those responding who were nearby. One family quickly made their way away from them--politely but obviously seeing the hyper-ness of the little man. Another woman gawked at the child. She could not take her eyes off the train wreck, yet offered no assistance or communication. The final straw with this little guy was as he was attempting to "ride" the suitcase across the aisle having been told more than once not to and going right into the metal of one the chairs. Tears, yells and apologies all came in like a tsunami. (I should add that not even twenty minutes later, as they were trying to board the plane, this little one would not listen to follow mom to the line. Soon enough he found himself alone and without his mother: "Mommy? Mommy!!! Where are you??" Tears. Yells. And, once found, apologies.)

My reality came in the appreciation I have for all parents out there. I continue to joke that God has me working on plants for now and even that can be a challenge. I struggle with just trying to get myself through the obstacle of flying, yet I watched these women with their precious cargo and some common themes were so visible. Even in the midst of nonsense, confusion and disobedience, the amount of love and patience each of these women continued to shower upon their muffins amazed the mess out of me. Such an outpouring of love magnified the true masterpiece of what the Creator desired as he crafted such magnificent designs as the concept of mother to child--their link and bond.

Their precious cargo silenced my heart, convicted and condemned me to a morsel. I could no longer complain. And, perhaps my next flight out will be faced with a new view.

1001 Thoughts

Recently, a colleague/friend shared that at the end of the day I need to free my mind by reflecting and writing about 3 good things that occurred in the day. I've not been diligent (once again) in making time to capture the daily happenings in my life. So to get back on track I need to release and flee clutter in my brain, praying that 3 good thoughts a days will keep doctors, stress, and all else away--I can dream correct!?

So glad for a Monday Holiday that keeps us out from work...Coming off of a weekend of travel that opened a can of sinusitis, bronchitis, long delays & miserable sittings in airports, it was great to be home today. I relaxed, was lazy and made time to think. Even in the midst of feeling my worse as I landed in Newark, NJ to catch my connecting flight, I had to pause with awe at how awesome a world we have and the technology that grants us rare or "taken for granted" opportunities. All in one day I experienced Ohio, Indiana, New York and New Jersey...The site of the Statue of Liberty and the city of Manhattan brought warmth--wow...While there were kinks in my Valentine's Day, the warmth of God and His majesty still prevailed.

Healing for the sick...This past weekend one of my dearest friends went to the hospital. She suffers from sickle cell anemia and is my age. I can't stress what strength and breath of sunshine this chick is! She is the picture of health, full of life, and only a small community of people know she suffers with this horrible and deadly disease. When the first text came her condition was not good and she was being rushed to the hospital. The past couple of days have marked great signs of improvement. She is strong, loves the Lord, and has many praying for/with her. Additionally, another friend had a flare up with her disease. Again, I give God praise for obedience and taking time to rest and heal.

Simple Surface Delights...I love the seasonal series of The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Guilty Pleasure 101--not the first time I've admitted this though! LOL. The romantic side of me seems to give in to this show each season despite how corny or against the methods I may be with the whole concept. Somehow watching others go through the ups/downs and emotional roller coaster of love is endearing and comforting. I know there is someone else falling in love when I'm in my happy state of a relationship or crying from a broken heart much like I've done when those moments have hit...even in their confused states I seem to empathize or sympathize! Again, I know it is a bit extreme to become so attached to what is utterly so distant from my own life experiences, yet it becomes like those Hallmark commercials or movies that just capture, grip, and screw you into an absolute mess.

So, the delights of my day bring me to a close...I need these items to remember, take in and happily take me to that state that gives me the energy and passion of a new day and fresh start. Trying to love the journey that leads to a beautiful end...