I love public transportation! It so efficient and so cheap! Wish I could use it in Erie. Used to take metro & bus to work in DC and loved it too. Dana was a bus user when we lived in the City of Erie and loved it.
Bostonians were generally welcoming and helpful. A few folks could we were trying to find our way around and offered their help. It was very nice. We were surprised that many people were familiar with Erie too.
On the other hand, I noticed how many people don’t make eye contact in larger cities. I decided to look at people in the eye and smile and say “hello” to spread some extra friendliness. It was well received and fun to do!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Fish Story
Last week, I noticed that our beta fish (named Bloop) didn't look very good. I was afraid he was going to die very soon and mentioned to Sophie that he looked sick. Bloop was her very first pet -- purchased about 14 months ago. He died last Thursday morning. I didn't expect Sophia to feel such deep emotion over the loss. She cried for 30 minutes before school -- and then again after school for a while. I comforted her. We buried him in our "pet cemetery" out back. She made him a grave marker out of a stone. This was very important to her.
I promised that we'd get another fish right away. That evening we went to Buzz n' Bees and picked out a beautiful and unusually colored beta to keep our snail (named Mrs. McCreedy) company. His name is Blub. So far, he's doing quite well.
I promised that we'd get another fish right away. That evening we went to Buzz n' Bees and picked out a beautiful and unusually colored beta to keep our snail (named Mrs. McCreedy) company. His name is Blub. So far, he's doing quite well.
ReEntry Challenges
The peace and quiet and adult conversation we had on our mini-vacation were great. Then...we got home. ReEntry did not go well with our daughter. While we were away and her grandparents were watching her, she was angelic -- not one bit of fussing. The instant we saw her she started acting up; unfortunately it lasted for a couple of days. It put a wrench in the joy and the relaxation we gained from the trip.
We often feel like we are the only ones who deal with a challenging child. I talked to a friend at work last week. He told me that they have at least one major blow up at "reentry" time with their kids. It made me feel a lot better to know that we aren't alone.
While we were away, Dana and I started reading a book that Pastor Al recommended (and lent us) called 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents. We need some direction with our parenting and hope this gives some practical help -- we want to do our job better.
We often feel like we are the only ones who deal with a challenging child. I talked to a friend at work last week. He told me that they have at least one major blow up at "reentry" time with their kids. It made me feel a lot better to know that we aren't alone.
While we were away, Dana and I started reading a book that Pastor Al recommended (and lent us) called 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents. We need some direction with our parenting and hope this gives some practical help -- we want to do our job better.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Great Water
Icelandic Glacial – complimentary bottled water from our Boston hotel - is the best water I’ve ever tasted. It is natural spring water from Olfus Spring in Thorlakshofn, Iceland. It is CarbonNeutral certified spring water. Their bottling plant is powered entirely by hydro-electricity and packaging is 100% recyclable. The Lenox is a Saunders Family hotel. They’ve earned awards for their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment. It’s encouraging to see companies doing the right thing to steward the earth God gave us.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Freedom Trail
Wandered through the streets of Boston alone last Thursday. Boston’s Public Garden is breathtaking and full of life. (I'll post some pictures when I figure it out). People of all ages & races were using the park together. Flowering trees and plants were stunning.
Decided to walk the “Freedom Trail.” This is a series of sites significant in American independence from Britain. I found the starting point, bought a self-guided tour map and went outside to start. A man dressed in revolutionary war era garb was standing outside getting ready to lead a live tour. Compelled by the potentially lively experience, I traded my $2 map in for the $12 guided tour. In my “cheap” days, I wouldn’t have spent the money. It was some of the best money I’ve invested lately. Dana called during the tour and told me he was glad I decided to take the special tour! He’s seen me cheap.
Donald, the tour guide, is a professional actor who depicted Samuel Adams in a recent PBS special on John Adams. He loves history and made story of our quest for independence come alive. It was a wonderful tour and very fun. Met some nice people too. 3 young women – After I told them what I do, we talked about churches a bit which was interesting. They even let me tag along with them for a few minutes following the tour. I realized how much of a relational person I am - I really enjoy being with people and learning about them.
God gave me the chance to help someone again. I gave away a banana to a stranger asking for some change for something to eat. I didn’t miss it either – never felt hungry - and that is somewhat unusual for me!
Decided to walk the “Freedom Trail.” This is a series of sites significant in American independence from Britain. I found the starting point, bought a self-guided tour map and went outside to start. A man dressed in revolutionary war era garb was standing outside getting ready to lead a live tour. Compelled by the potentially lively experience, I traded my $2 map in for the $12 guided tour. In my “cheap” days, I wouldn’t have spent the money. It was some of the best money I’ve invested lately. Dana called during the tour and told me he was glad I decided to take the special tour! He’s seen me cheap.
Donald, the tour guide, is a professional actor who depicted Samuel Adams in a recent PBS special on John Adams. He loves history and made story of our quest for independence come alive. It was a wonderful tour and very fun. Met some nice people too. 3 young women – After I told them what I do, we talked about churches a bit which was interesting. They even let me tag along with them for a few minutes following the tour. I realized how much of a relational person I am - I really enjoy being with people and learning about them.
God gave me the chance to help someone again. I gave away a banana to a stranger asking for some change for something to eat. I didn’t miss it either – never felt hungry - and that is somewhat unusual for me!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Magnifying mirror
There is a very strange mirror in the hotel bathroom – it magnifies by about 10 times. I look at myself in it and see all my imperfections. Then I look in the “regular mirror” and things look much better – flaws are still there but not as noticeable. I’m thankful that God sees us magnified with every flaw showing and loves us still.
The Bread
Dana's architecture convention started today. We are staying in The Lenox Hotel in downtown Boston in the Back Bay area. It is beautiful and historic. I feel a bit uncomfortable and out of place. I've never experienced the services of a bell-hop; his name was Sid - he served with sincerity, grace and a big smile.
We ate dinner last night outdoors -- it's only 60 degrees, but it was so inviting. The food was really good - but there was too much. When it was time to leave, I felt that I should take the huge hunk of bread from the bread basket with us. I found a way to shove it into my coat pocket. I told Dana that we could give it to someone who needed it.
You see - in a few short hours, we had already seen many people sleeping on the steps of Trinity Church and in various other places. I felt sorry for them. Amid the plenty of the restaurants and night life, there were people hurting, hungry and poor all around. I wanted to take one of them my bread.
We walked around before going to the hotel and right in front of us we saw a young woman and a young man asking for money. I said to Dana, "I should give them the bread." So instead of some coins, I offered the young man the bread. He took it graciously and thanked me.
My brother used to (and may still) pack extra lunches daily in DC to give to the homeless there. Instead of walking by those men, he met one of their needs.
We ate dinner last night outdoors -- it's only 60 degrees, but it was so inviting. The food was really good - but there was too much. When it was time to leave, I felt that I should take the huge hunk of bread from the bread basket with us. I found a way to shove it into my coat pocket. I told Dana that we could give it to someone who needed it.
You see - in a few short hours, we had already seen many people sleeping on the steps of Trinity Church and in various other places. I felt sorry for them. Amid the plenty of the restaurants and night life, there were people hurting, hungry and poor all around. I wanted to take one of them my bread.
We walked around before going to the hotel and right in front of us we saw a young woman and a young man asking for money. I said to Dana, "I should give them the bread." So instead of some coins, I offered the young man the bread. He took it graciously and thanked me.
My brother used to (and may still) pack extra lunches daily in DC to give to the homeless there. Instead of walking by those men, he met one of their needs.
Traveling is Good Medicine
Dana and I hopped in the car yesterday and drove from Erie to Boston! After running around to get ready to go, it felt so good to just pull away from our house and hit the road. For us, there is nothing like a trip away from the "usual" routine to help refresh our tired souls.
The countryside between Erie and Boston is gorgeous and unspoiled. It is so amazing that the US still has thousands of miles of beautiful land. We'd recommend I-86 & Rt. 17 (with very little traffic) to anyone who needs some nature to recharge.
On the 7th Day, God rested. He told the Israelites to rest on the Sabbath. Jesus often got away from the crowds to rest and pray. My boss, Derek, recently told us a wise thing - "fruitfulness is formed out of rest." Rest is stewarding our bodies and lives well. We are guilty of not resting regularly. May this trip help us build the discipline of rest back into our daily lives.
The countryside between Erie and Boston is gorgeous and unspoiled. It is so amazing that the US still has thousands of miles of beautiful land. We'd recommend I-86 & Rt. 17 (with very little traffic) to anyone who needs some nature to recharge.
On the 7th Day, God rested. He told the Israelites to rest on the Sabbath. Jesus often got away from the crowds to rest and pray. My boss, Derek, recently told us a wise thing - "fruitfulness is formed out of rest." Rest is stewarding our bodies and lives well. We are guilty of not resting regularly. May this trip help us build the discipline of rest back into our daily lives.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Chore Chart
My husband and I started a "chore chart" for our daughter Sophia about a month ago. We sat down and discussed with her the things she should be responsible for each day. It was very important to her that she agree with each decision.
The payoff for her is "pay day" at the end of each week. So, she wanted to know how much money she would get and how we would keep track. Being a creative child, she ran to her white board and drew a weekly calendar with the "jobs" written down. We mark down smiles for each completed activity. Each smile earns her .15 - if she doesn't do the thing with a good attitude or doesn't do it at all, then she gets a frown. They are worth nothing.
The payoff for us (we hope) is her increased sense of responsibility, a better attitude toward work, and the chance for us to teach her how to handle money well from a young age. We've been teaching her the importance of giving to the work of God and other worthy causes, of saving for future spending and for the unexpected, and of spending wisely.
She is only 8, but already has the urge to shop recreationally. She loves stuff and loves spending. She used to ask us often to buy her things that she wanted but didn't need -- like more WebKinz. Ever since she started earning her own money, we've seen a change in her attitude toward and relationship to money. She actually cares about saving now! She even saved most of her birthday money - in order to start a savings account at the bank! That is real progress. We have a long way to go, but the fruit is beginning to form.
The payoff for her is "pay day" at the end of each week. So, she wanted to know how much money she would get and how we would keep track. Being a creative child, she ran to her white board and drew a weekly calendar with the "jobs" written down. We mark down smiles for each completed activity. Each smile earns her .15 - if she doesn't do the thing with a good attitude or doesn't do it at all, then she gets a frown. They are worth nothing.
The payoff for us (we hope) is her increased sense of responsibility, a better attitude toward work, and the chance for us to teach her how to handle money well from a young age. We've been teaching her the importance of giving to the work of God and other worthy causes, of saving for future spending and for the unexpected, and of spending wisely.
She is only 8, but already has the urge to shop recreationally. She loves stuff and loves spending. She used to ask us often to buy her things that she wanted but didn't need -- like more WebKinz. Ever since she started earning her own money, we've seen a change in her attitude toward and relationship to money. She actually cares about saving now! She even saved most of her birthday money - in order to start a savings account at the bank! That is real progress. We have a long way to go, but the fruit is beginning to form.
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