As random as they come...
Let me start this post with a bit of a disclaimer, a word of warning if you will. Because of my lack of designated computer time this week, I've not had an opportunity to properly 'debrief' each day from the thoughts in my head. With that said, please expect this post to be a bit random and possibly disjointed.
As I sit down to the computer, I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend. I've got things to share... items that relate to life, and topics that could be filed under 'only to be spoken about with those who know you are not clinically insane' - So when I jump from topic to topic, don't look stunned like I didn't warn you. Be the good, understanding friend across the table and smile and nod. Just smile and nod.
And now, let the lunacy commence...
I happily entered the world of digital photography today (huge thanks to the dear friend who gave me such a precious, and generous gift). I've dappled in photography over the past couple of years and have a great camera to show for it. But when it came to shooting digital, I was a bit hesitant. Like the traditional wedding march being played during a wedding ceremony, like using a pan to heat up food instead of a microwave, I've always been a bit of a traditionalist... Cameras are meant to have film... or at least that's how I'd always felt. Blogging and Flickr have revolutionized the way I see life. So much to share right away (or in the case of this post, a week later), and who wants to go through the hassle of developing, scanning, etc... You get the idea. So here I am, digital and thrilled about it. The following three photos are shots that I took today on my walking route. Take a good look at each one, and then tell me you wouldn't mind the 2 miles of exercise every day if you could see the beauty I get to be surrounded by.
This picture is a gazebo that's out on the island. I've referred to a bridge before and there's a picture from that as well. One road goes out to the end of the island, and there is water on both sides of the road. It's breathtaking.
The next shot is the view from the bridge. I always take a little breather/stretch here and love it when the water is especially still (It's kinda windy in this picture).
Finally, I know there's a bit of a camera flare here, but you can still appreciate my beloved bridge, I'm sure.
This past Sunday we had a guest speaker. He runs a ministry that is directed primarily to India. My brother-in-law Jon's dad is the pastor at the church there, and he'll be joining this man on a trip there in January. He shared many good things about reaching out and sharing the Gospel with people around us, but one thing he said really struck me. I guess we are often more moved by things that hit home. He said 'God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him.' From time to time we get rattled about our lives... the direction we're headed, or the feeling that we're not really going anywhere. Ultimately, this can fill us with a sense of longing, even a discontentment with our lives. I think these are the times when God most wants us to find our identity, our satisfaction, and our hope in Him.
Thinking along those lines, I was reading an article in the local newspaper yesterday about a man who carves and etches headstones for a living. He was talking about how it really is an artform. When the reporter asked him what he's learned over the years, his answer was simple, 'Experience is the best teacher.' I can see how this is so true in my life... sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail, but in the end, it's going THROUGH those experiences that leave the biggest mark on you... and hopefully you DO learn.
On a lighter note, I came across an interesting little article in an advertising magazine yesterday. I'm going to include a couple of excerpts.
'The Mall of America in Bloomfield, Minn, has a 74 foot Ferris wheel, a shark tank and a dinosaur museum. But if that puts you to sleep, a new nap store will sell you some shut-eye for 70 cents a minute.
The store, to be called MinneNAPolis (LOVE IT!), is aimed at weary travelers who need a nap after a long flight but aren't staying long enough to book a hotel room, or spouses of shoppers who are traversing the mall's 4.3 miles of storefronts...
Founded by PowerNap Sleep Centers Inc of Boca Raton, Fla., the new store will include themed rooms such as Asian Mist, Tropical Isle and Deep Space. Each will have walls thick enough to drown out the sounds to squealing children at the indoor amusement park.
The 70-cents per minute fee works out to $42 an hour, through PowerNap President Michael Javaherian says the company will probably offer discounts for half-hour and hour-long naps that would reduce the price.
Some pointed out that it would be cheaper to buy an $8 movie ticket and spend two hours sleeping through a quiet movie.
It would be even cheaper to stretch out on one of the mall's wooden benches, but people who work in the mall say they have seen plenty of tired people walking around, but haven't seen many of them doze off in public...
Still, some shoppers had their doubts about paying for a nap. "Would you get your money back if someone snored?" says Linda Belz, 54, of Orlando, Fla.
"How do I know there won't be lice in the sheets?" says Ericka Dickerson, of Bradenton, Fla.
Javaherian says the rooms would be cleaned after each use just like a hotel. Mall officials say the store would adhere to a one-person-per-room policy.'
(Shopping and sleeping: two of my most favorite things. Incorporate chocolate and it might as well be heaven).
This Friday is Lauren's rehearsal dinner, and her wedding is Saturday. I'm really excited for her - she's marrying a sweetheart-of-a-guy Andy (who I affectionately call 'Droid' short for Android). I know it'll be a beautiful wedding, and I'm just honored to be a part of it. Laura and I are headed out around noon on Friday, and will be back sometime Sunday afternoon. We'll be driving back through Lansing and have plans to meet up with Sarah as well... Really looking forward to it all. Digital pictures will abound. :)
Finally, just a side note... today is Jon and Lacey's anniversary. Congratulations and I love you both.
As I sit down to the computer, I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend. I've got things to share... items that relate to life, and topics that could be filed under 'only to be spoken about with those who know you are not clinically insane' - So when I jump from topic to topic, don't look stunned like I didn't warn you. Be the good, understanding friend across the table and smile and nod. Just smile and nod.
And now, let the lunacy commence...
I happily entered the world of digital photography today (huge thanks to the dear friend who gave me such a precious, and generous gift). I've dappled in photography over the past couple of years and have a great camera to show for it. But when it came to shooting digital, I was a bit hesitant. Like the traditional wedding march being played during a wedding ceremony, like using a pan to heat up food instead of a microwave, I've always been a bit of a traditionalist... Cameras are meant to have film... or at least that's how I'd always felt. Blogging and Flickr have revolutionized the way I see life. So much to share right away (or in the case of this post, a week later), and who wants to go through the hassle of developing, scanning, etc... You get the idea. So here I am, digital and thrilled about it. The following three photos are shots that I took today on my walking route. Take a good look at each one, and then tell me you wouldn't mind the 2 miles of exercise every day if you could see the beauty I get to be surrounded by.
This picture is a gazebo that's out on the island. I've referred to a bridge before and there's a picture from that as well. One road goes out to the end of the island, and there is water on both sides of the road. It's breathtaking.
The next shot is the view from the bridge. I always take a little breather/stretch here and love it when the water is especially still (It's kinda windy in this picture).
Finally, I know there's a bit of a camera flare here, but you can still appreciate my beloved bridge, I'm sure.
This past Sunday we had a guest speaker. He runs a ministry that is directed primarily to India. My brother-in-law Jon's dad is the pastor at the church there, and he'll be joining this man on a trip there in January. He shared many good things about reaching out and sharing the Gospel with people around us, but one thing he said really struck me. I guess we are often more moved by things that hit home. He said 'God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him.' From time to time we get rattled about our lives... the direction we're headed, or the feeling that we're not really going anywhere. Ultimately, this can fill us with a sense of longing, even a discontentment with our lives. I think these are the times when God most wants us to find our identity, our satisfaction, and our hope in Him.
Thinking along those lines, I was reading an article in the local newspaper yesterday about a man who carves and etches headstones for a living. He was talking about how it really is an artform. When the reporter asked him what he's learned over the years, his answer was simple, 'Experience is the best teacher.' I can see how this is so true in my life... sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail, but in the end, it's going THROUGH those experiences that leave the biggest mark on you... and hopefully you DO learn.
On a lighter note, I came across an interesting little article in an advertising magazine yesterday. I'm going to include a couple of excerpts.
'The Mall of America in Bloomfield, Minn, has a 74 foot Ferris wheel, a shark tank and a dinosaur museum. But if that puts you to sleep, a new nap store will sell you some shut-eye for 70 cents a minute.
The store, to be called MinneNAPolis (LOVE IT!), is aimed at weary travelers who need a nap after a long flight but aren't staying long enough to book a hotel room, or spouses of shoppers who are traversing the mall's 4.3 miles of storefronts...
Founded by PowerNap Sleep Centers Inc of Boca Raton, Fla., the new store will include themed rooms such as Asian Mist, Tropical Isle and Deep Space. Each will have walls thick enough to drown out the sounds to squealing children at the indoor amusement park.
The 70-cents per minute fee works out to $42 an hour, through PowerNap President Michael Javaherian says the company will probably offer discounts for half-hour and hour-long naps that would reduce the price.
Some pointed out that it would be cheaper to buy an $8 movie ticket and spend two hours sleeping through a quiet movie.
It would be even cheaper to stretch out on one of the mall's wooden benches, but people who work in the mall say they have seen plenty of tired people walking around, but haven't seen many of them doze off in public...
Still, some shoppers had their doubts about paying for a nap. "Would you get your money back if someone snored?" says Linda Belz, 54, of Orlando, Fla.
"How do I know there won't be lice in the sheets?" says Ericka Dickerson, of Bradenton, Fla.
Javaherian says the rooms would be cleaned after each use just like a hotel. Mall officials say the store would adhere to a one-person-per-room policy.'
(Shopping and sleeping: two of my most favorite things. Incorporate chocolate and it might as well be heaven).
This Friday is Lauren's rehearsal dinner, and her wedding is Saturday. I'm really excited for her - she's marrying a sweetheart-of-a-guy Andy (who I affectionately call 'Droid' short for Android). I know it'll be a beautiful wedding, and I'm just honored to be a part of it. Laura and I are headed out around noon on Friday, and will be back sometime Sunday afternoon. We'll be driving back through Lansing and have plans to meet up with Sarah as well... Really looking forward to it all. Digital pictures will abound. :)
Finally, just a side note... today is Jon and Lacey's anniversary. Congratulations and I love you both.
posted by Amber | 9:19 PM
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