So, my cousin is a big, bad firefighter. He has been working for Lincoln Fire now for about 10 months and is loving it. "I can't believe I get paid to do this!" he kept saying. Isn't that how jobs should be? Chris gave me a tour of his station; I met the guys, explored the engines, laughed at his cheesy ID photo, noted the carefully positioned turnout gear, and marveled at all the components that make this place run. Way to be awesome Chris.
This past weekend I went out to Nebraska to visit my wonderful friends and family that are out there and to attend Union's graduation weekend. My brother took me to the airport and I noted that we were really low on gas and that in fact, the meter that shows how many miles you have left on the tank had zeroed out.
He said that it zeroed out when there were 30 miles left on the tank and that we would be fine getting to the airport. As we drove there, I wondered if I would make my flight or if we might be stranded by the road somewhere while my flight left without me. We made it to the airport and I told him that he lives a little too close to the edge. "I live on the edge of calculation." He stated and didn't seem a bit concerned.
The two flights to Nebraska were uneventful and soon I was in Omaha where my two cousins: Chris and Tony came and picked me up. As we pulled onto the highway, I
noticed that again I was seeing an empty tank and a glowing gas light on the dash. "Oh! Chris said, we should get gas..." The needle was well below the E and I turned to him and said: "You know E stands for EMPTY, right?" "Aw', Chris grunted, 'I just scooch down lower in my seat and then the needle kinda stays on the white line." "And how does that work for you?" I asked with growing concern that for the second time that day I stood in great danger of being stranded by the roadside."We need gas now!!!!!!" Chris yelled as we cut across all lanes of traffic and headed for the closest station. This proved to be far more dangerous than simply exhausting our store of fuel. Surviving Chris' erratic driving skills, we let out a collective sigh as we pulled into the gas station and fueled up.
It got me thinking...how often do I start my journey for the day, running on empty? How often do I act like I can "get by" without spending quality time fueling-up on God's Word or on my knees? Do I sit lower so that where I am at looks a bit better? Do I calculate just what I think I will need for the journey? I need to be far more concerned about how much effort I am contributing towards this soul-tank and what I am depending on to fuel my thoughts and my decisions. God, thanks again for these little life illustrations.
So I noticed some twigs sticking out above the lamp by our door. I wanted a closer look so that I could see if there were any eggs inside. No eggs yet, but maybe soon? I don't know why the birdie pick our house as a suitable spot for a nest, maybe we seemed peaceful...no, it's probably just that we never have the light on :)
Dad had some meetings in D.C. at this amazing new hotel. And this is where he and Mom stayed while he was attending them. It looked like an airport to me with all of the glass and expanse of space. It was something else. We found a fabulous little place to eat near there with delicious black bean burgers. Yay for cell phone pics and an expense paid fancy hotel :)
I am a giant!!!
Ah, much better :)
I am very thankful that I got to see my beautiful little cousin Lilyana, not once, but three brief times in the past month. It was great to finally meet her and hold this precious, much prayed over little miracle. We love you Lily!
Kristina is gone! She just left for some place called Loma Linda California that has a habit of swallowing up my friends. How did we not take more pictures before you left??? We miss you!
I am supposed to be leaving on a trip in a few days and it was going to be Brazil, then Liberia, possibly Zimbabwe.
For whatever reason, I have decided that I am old. Not that I feel old, I actually feel quite young. Yet somehow I am unwilling to accept the march of time, the growing numbers, and the passing years. How am I already to that point? So sad. Now that 25 has come and gone, I will stop counting. Haha. It doesn't really feel like my birthday, but it's a nice excuse to celebrate. Happy birthday to me. Thank you guys for all the love, you're the ones who make this day special. Thank you for reminding me that age is just a number and that I am only as old as I feel...I still need to be reminded of that from time to time. :)
The happy thing about spring and rain is it creates petal showers that collect in drifts and are there to greet me when I get home from work. :)
