Horses & Computers

I have a personal problem….I have some type of signal that is sent off from my hips, I figure it is my hips seeing that is the largest most annoying part of my body, none the less, these signals are not good. They jack with computers systems and horses. I know it is a weird combination. Truth be known it extends beyond computers into the electronic world in general. This world includes but is not limited to, copy machines, cash registers, Direct TV systems and cell phones.

I will try to keep it brief, but basically this is how it works…last night my husband loaded a software I need for the computer…I am innocently away from home…I call him on my way home and our conversation goes something like this:

Lisa: “Did you get the software installed, does it work?”

James: “Oh yeah, it was a breeze! Everything is working. I will show you how to navigate it when you get home.”

Lisa: With a sharp response, I say, “How long (in Lisa time) will it take for me to get an overview?” (I need mental prep and self talk before accessing the technical learning piece of my brain)

I arrive home.

James: “Lisa, let me show you how this works.” (we sit down, LOW & BEHOLD) With confusion is his voice “It was working just a minute ago! Now there is no connection? It was just working before you came in!” (why he is so bewildered by this malfunction..is beyond me…this always happens when I am involved.)

Lisa: (No words come. There are no words for this, why, because it is my life for years. Honestly, it is my blight.)

(Just let me take a moment here to say just because I blog and I am self-diagnosed facebook addict, does not mean I love computers or technology…truly I would rather pull out one eyelash at a time before navigating something new on computers.)

Back to the predicament…The indication that the “scrambler signal” has been released, comes in the form of statement of confusion, by the person who typically operates the apparatus. I often hear, “This computer never has done this…That is weird I have never had this copier jam…(or in the case of the Direct TV technician) I need to call my supervisor, I have never encountered this problem and I have been doing this for 20 years!”

And now the horses …the very same problem exists with these creatures. With out fail, the most gentle horse, the old and kind horse, the horse that young children can control…will inevitable go backwards up mountains, all of sudden decide to lay down (nearly breaking my leg) bite other horses and start fights, run away from the other trail horses (in the event you did not know trail horses are trained to follow the butt of the horse in front of them . They typically NEVER deviate from the pack. Unless of course I am involved).

After sharing all of this with Dwight, the Direct TV technician, he had a piece of wisdom to share. His advise was that I should move far, far away, where there is no electronics, making my life and those around much less complicated. To that I say….”that is where HORSES live!”…. Please no suggestions, just pity!

It Took Me Just One Moment

I am currently reading the book, “Becoming a Contagious Christian,” written by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg. Being in full-time ministry for nearly 15 years, my attitude with the book was well…I have heard all this before and frankly how can I add MORE evangelism strategies to my life! Honestly, I am doing all I can right now!

I find it interesting what always (in my life) follows this typical arrogant, self-righteous attitude! After feeling ashamed, typically I have a great revelation, a great stirring in my heart, a voice rings loud, the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in my life. This book has certainly provided an place for God to speak to me. A look at evangelism not in a stressful, bondage kind of way, but rather introduced me to an opportunity that I know is achievable with little effort, but great impact on the kingdom of Christ. It just takes a moment of caring and looking around, for crying out loud!

Hybels gives some practical tips, tips that I did not discover as any new concept, but quite refreshing and inspiring ways to view my/your current surroundings. Looking for opportunities to reach the lost, truly it is looking at my/your world from a new perspective. As a mom (“home executive”), God has already connected people in my life to consider as opportunities to share Christ, show Christ. My initial brainstorm included neighbors, parents sitting by me on bleachers as we watch our children play T-ball, carpooling partners, my children’s teachers and beyond. Taking just a few moments to look at that those ordinary moments of contact, I see great potential for extraordinary impact. It just took a moment of inspection.

This moment of evaluation brought to my mind an obvious yet very important opportunity. My neighborhood has a group of ladies who love to gather and play bunco (a brainless dice game) once a month. I have attended occasionally over the past 4 years and have found an interesting group of women, from all walks of life, in different seasons of life. The scene is a bit different than a party I would host, it always consists of variety of alcoholic beverages, everything from a margarita bar to an assortment wines and beer, and not to mention an array of colorful language, but always a blast! It is an “elite” group of ladies – if you do not live on Summerwood Circle…you are not invited! I am honored to be a part of the elite Summerwood group, affectionately known as “The Bunco Babes.” Truth is I rarely go I am always busy with “other things” – organized ministry programs. After reading “Becoming a Contagious Christian” and the Holy Spirit gently screaming at me, I feel so impressed to make this opportunity a priority. The “Bunco Babes” have cared for our neighbors who have recently had surgery, celebrated with a neighbor who is having her first baby and cried with those in hard times (sound familiar… Lisa ,it is what God has called you to, ding dong!). This group of ladies have taught me some very important lessons, I am ashamed I have not given it the focus and priority it deserves. How long have I passed on this precious moment God has so graciously placed right in front of my FACE??? 15-20 ladies, some believers, some not, I will be a faithful Bunco Babe, and allow God to work in me!

Marco Polo

I was forced into the pool today!

#1 It was too hot to exercise any other way.

#2 It is just plain HOT!

So when the Queen of the house gets in the pool…no matter how quietly I might enter…kids come from the dark places of the house!

Pool time begins as Alexys and I, after a mile walk, determine the pool seems to be inviting us. She has a bit of her Dad’s blood in her and the mild exercise laps became and all out “unspoken” competition. 30 laps later of me trying to keep her pace, thank goodness…in comes Parker and Addy. The fun is just getting started! Woo Hoo! (sarcasm)

Macro Polo is the game of choice. After being “it” for 30 minutes and my hands are beginning to look as old as I was feeling, I asked my bloggin’ husband to join us. Now the party is really getting started! He enters with a ginormous splash…which puts a proud grin on his son’s face. The kids are drawn to him like ants to a picnic. After a few moments of Papa Bear & cub wrestling, we are back to Marco Polo. Without doubt, Dad dominates!

It is a good day!

How to Play Marco Polo Correctly:

(Wikipedia)

The game is played by three or more people. At any time there is one distinguished player, “It”, who must usually wait a certain number of seconds before swimming around the pool with his or her eyes closed, attempting to tag the other players. The “It” player can only sense where the other players are by sound, but may call out “Marco!”, at which point all the other players are required to yell “Polo!”. When the “It” player succeeds in tagging another player, the latter becomes “It”.

Weezie’s Top 5

Top 5 Reasons I Know I Am Addicted to facebook:

1. I am irritated I am not winning a competition with my husband to see who has the most friends. As he is rubbing it in, I respond, “I am sorry, I did not hear your large number of friends, I was in the middle of my bible study.”

2. I have considered going into the “hotter than hades” attic to collect all my yearbooks. Resulting in hours of searching for friends, those friends I cannot even remember their last names, that is why I need the yearbook.

3. I find great satisfaction to log on and see I have new friend requests. And imagine they went out of their way to find me and it was not just a “suggestion”, but rather an all out search that did not require a yearbook.

4. I am bothered by friends who do not update their status in a timely manner and in English!

5. When I am on the computer and my sweet little Addy (3 years old) asks, “Are you on Facebook? Any new friends? Beating Daddy yet?”

Weezie?

It is a nickname that has just stuck – WEEZIE! I did not ask for it but it was given to me by a long-time friend, Robin Parker. My “nick-name sake” comes from the character Louise, wife of George, from the hit TV show “The Jefferson’s.” Ironically this couple made their first appearance the year of my birth, 1971, on the show “All in the Family.” Their spin off show lasted 14 years. Weezie is described as a kind-hearted wife married to a hot-headed husband… No comment! I do remember “Weezie” to be a spicy, humorous woman who truly loved her husband, family and friends. That we do share in common along with the nickname!

Weezie has become a name I love to be referred by. Most importantly because when I hear it I know it comes from people who know me well and call me friend. I feel blessed to have many amazing people call me friend. Friends who love me, laugh with me (at me) and journey along side me in this thing called life.

“Life According to Weezie” ………..It Begins!