I have been struggling with something over the past few days - I don’t understand how people can be completely closed-minded. I am currently reading and studying some books (thanks, Paul) that are…broadening my horizons, so to speak. My whole point in doing this is to make me more understanding of other people’s views. However, I have had comments made to me such as, “You’re being deceived.” I’ve even had offers from one who said that she would pray for me so that I’m not “led astray” by these views, which happen to differ from “the norm.”
Now, why would someone think that I’m being deceived or led astray just because I’m learning others’ points of view? Could it be because they are closed-minded? I don't really know.
Keep in mind that I never said that my reading/studying was changing my opinions and/or feelings on the particular subject. (Maybe when I’ve become more knowledgeable about the subject, I can feel confident to share it with you.)
I just feel that if I don’t understand where others are “coming from,” I cannot know where they are "going to." Does that make any sense?
General Update
I know that it’s been a while since I wrote anything, but as some of you know, we were away for a week, visiting family in Myrtle Beach. We had a wonderful trip, and it was so amazing to see how much our grandson, Ethan, has grown. He seems to be a happy little guy, and he now talks like crazy! I was just a bit disappointed that he took so long to warm up to us. He hasn’t seen us since October 2007, and he didn’t even let Grandpa Curt pick him up until the last night we were there. I guess that’s the downfall to being a long-distance grandparent. Now that Ethan talks so well, we’re hoping that telephone calls will help him remain familiar with us. We’re also trying to come up with other ways to make ourselves more familiar to Ethan, so we’ll see how that all works out. (Any ideas are welcome!)
On Tuesday evening, Scott (Curt’s son) called us to see how things were going since we got home. He also wanted to tell us that the due date for their second son, Logan, has been moved up. Logan was originally due on October 31 – a Halloween baby! However, after Jessica’s doctor appointment on Monday, they adjusted the due date to October 10. So, we are officially on “baby watch!” We have cell phones with us all the time – even Curt, who only takes his phone if he “needs it.” Every time the phone rings, we jump up to see who it is calling. It’s so exciting!
Even though we can’t get back to Myrtle Beach for the “Diaper Shower,” I’m hoping to talk Curt into going back to Myrtle Beach after Logan arrives. I really don’t think that it will take much, but we’ll see!
On Tuesday evening, Scott (Curt’s son) called us to see how things were going since we got home. He also wanted to tell us that the due date for their second son, Logan, has been moved up. Logan was originally due on October 31 – a Halloween baby! However, after Jessica’s doctor appointment on Monday, they adjusted the due date to October 10. So, we are officially on “baby watch!” We have cell phones with us all the time – even Curt, who only takes his phone if he “needs it.” Every time the phone rings, we jump up to see who it is calling. It’s so exciting!
Even though we can’t get back to Myrtle Beach for the “Diaper Shower,” I’m hoping to talk Curt into going back to Myrtle Beach after Logan arrives. I really don’t think that it will take much, but we’ll see!
September 11
You know, I always thought people were crazy when they would tell me things like, "I remember exactly where I was when JFK was shot..." or "I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard about…" I always thought, "Oh, yeah, right. How could you remember exactly?"
Then came September 11, 2001. I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and it is honestly a time in my life that I will never forget.
I hope that everyone takes a moment today to remember what they were doing and where they were when they saw (or heard, as in my case) the news. I also hope that everyone takes a moment to pray for all of the people who were victimized (in one way or another) on that day 7 years ago.
Then came September 11, 2001. I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and it is honestly a time in my life that I will never forget.
I hope that everyone takes a moment today to remember what they were doing and where they were when they saw (or heard, as in my case) the news. I also hope that everyone takes a moment to pray for all of the people who were victimized (in one way or another) on that day 7 years ago.
My Crazy Day
I'm a little bit bored at work, so I thought that I'd share what's happened during this - my crazy day, which isn't over yet.
First, I did something this morning that I can hardly believe. We gave away our piano! My nephew and niece started piano lessons, and we had wanted to get rid of the piano because our living room just isn't big enough for a baby grand. My mom decided that she would pay to have it moved, so as of this morning, it's gone!
We still have an old Yamaha electric piano in our "home office," but that thing hasn't been used in years. Curt's going to move it out into the living room, so he says. I don't know if I'll be able to adjust to it, since it doesn't have a full keyboard. However, Curt said that we'll shop for a new digital piano in the spring.
Then, tonight after work, I have to meet my dad in New Castle. My mom had to go out of town to be with her sister who is in the hospital, and I never got over to pick up Ethan's birthday gift. So, Dad is going to meet me - on the condition that I take him out to dinner! I jumped at the chance. I can't remember the last time that I went to dinner with my dad - just the two of us.
I'm hoping to be home sometime before 9:00 PM. (For those of you who don't know, I am usually asleep in the recliner by 9:30 PM, which is probably because we get up at 5:00 AM.) That also means that Curt will be stuck at home, rearranging the living room and getting stuff ready for the trip. That could be bad...
First, I did something this morning that I can hardly believe. We gave away our piano! My nephew and niece started piano lessons, and we had wanted to get rid of the piano because our living room just isn't big enough for a baby grand. My mom decided that she would pay to have it moved, so as of this morning, it's gone!
We still have an old Yamaha electric piano in our "home office," but that thing hasn't been used in years. Curt's going to move it out into the living room, so he says. I don't know if I'll be able to adjust to it, since it doesn't have a full keyboard. However, Curt said that we'll shop for a new digital piano in the spring.
Then, tonight after work, I have to meet my dad in New Castle. My mom had to go out of town to be with her sister who is in the hospital, and I never got over to pick up Ethan's birthday gift. So, Dad is going to meet me - on the condition that I take him out to dinner! I jumped at the chance. I can't remember the last time that I went to dinner with my dad - just the two of us.
I'm hoping to be home sometime before 9:00 PM. (For those of you who don't know, I am usually asleep in the recliner by 9:30 PM, which is probably because we get up at 5:00 AM.) That also means that Curt will be stuck at home, rearranging the living room and getting stuff ready for the trip. That could be bad...
Bible Study - Update - Myrtle Beach Trip
Unfortunately, I didn't get to go to the Bible study last night. Things really blew up with our upcoming trip to Myrtle Beach. First, we found out that our friend, Betty, couldn't go with us, due to her husband being in the hospital. This may not sound like a big issue to some, but we use Betty's timeshare when we go, so this was a bigger deal than one may think.
So, we got a "guest certificate" (for an additional fee), which would allow the remainder of the party to go without Betty. However, we then noticed that the reservation was for a one-bedroom unit, when it was supposed to be for a two-bedroom unit. (It's hard to sleep 5 people in one bedroom.) The company assured us that the one-bedroom could accommodate our party, but then they said that two of the beds were bunk beds! Well, Curt and I really aren't into the bunk-bed thing, and I don't think my parents (both between 65 and 70 years old) are up for getting into bunk beds! So after some arguing with them for screwing up the reservation, we ended up with NO PLACE TO STAY.
Talk about panic!!
So, we called my mom and kept getting her voicemail all evening. She finally called me back to say that they may not be going with us, since her sister (in New Jersey) was in the hospital. My mom and her other sisters are probably heading to Jersey this weekend or early next week.
Curt and I made arrangements to stay with his son, but then Curt decided that he wanted to stay on the beach or no where. So, we spent about 20 minutes looking online, and we found what looks to be a GREAT place to stay!
So, what ended up not being a great way to spend an evening didn't turn out too bad. We're still waiting to hear about Betty's husband and my aunt, who are both in the hospital (one in Cleveland, and one in Jersey). Nevertheless, we have a place to stay, and the trip is still on...thankfully!
So, we got a "guest certificate" (for an additional fee), which would allow the remainder of the party to go without Betty. However, we then noticed that the reservation was for a one-bedroom unit, when it was supposed to be for a two-bedroom unit. (It's hard to sleep 5 people in one bedroom.) The company assured us that the one-bedroom could accommodate our party, but then they said that two of the beds were bunk beds! Well, Curt and I really aren't into the bunk-bed thing, and I don't think my parents (both between 65 and 70 years old) are up for getting into bunk beds! So after some arguing with them for screwing up the reservation, we ended up with NO PLACE TO STAY.
Talk about panic!!
So, we called my mom and kept getting her voicemail all evening. She finally called me back to say that they may not be going with us, since her sister (in New Jersey) was in the hospital. My mom and her other sisters are probably heading to Jersey this weekend or early next week.
Curt and I made arrangements to stay with his son, but then Curt decided that he wanted to stay on the beach or no where. So, we spent about 20 minutes looking online, and we found what looks to be a GREAT place to stay!
So, what ended up not being a great way to spend an evening didn't turn out too bad. We're still waiting to hear about Betty's husband and my aunt, who are both in the hospital (one in Cleveland, and one in Jersey). Nevertheless, we have a place to stay, and the trip is still on...thankfully!
Bible Study
I have really been looking for some good sources of Bible studies, and I found one that sounds interesting. On Thursday nights, there is a non-denominational Bible study held at a church not far from my house, and I think I’m going to try it out and see what happens. (I wasn't real impressed by my initial contact with this group, but I'm all for second chances!)
They are starting tonight with a 30-week course in the book of Revelation. It sounds exciting to me, but 30 weeks is a LONG time. I would have to miss the third week right off the bat, since we’ll be going to Myrtle Beach that week.
In addition, there is a small group from New Hope (my new church) that will be “Blogging” through Revelation” (as they call it) over the next few months.
If it works out that I can attend this Bible study, it may be interesting to see what differences and/or similarities are shared between the two groups. This could be fun!
Just a bit of Venting...
This is one of those times where blogging my be therapeutic for me, allowing me to get out one of my frustrations. So, here goes…
Why is it that there are so many charitable organizations to aid in the relief of world hunger, world poverty, and world disease? In addition, we see so much of our government’s money being sent overseas as “aid” to other countries. What’s wrong with keeping that money here – in the USA – and using it here – in the USA – to combat poverty, hunger, disease, or whatever here – in the USA? I know that may sound a little selfish to some, but I'm just a little confused.
The United States is supposed to be soooo powerful – a “superpower” – yet we can’t even take care of our own citizens. What is that all about?
Is there really anything that we, as individuals, can do to improve these situations? We could, obviously, start right here in our own town, in our own state. Just see some of the interesting things I’ve read about over the last few days.
Doesn’t anyone realize that Cleveland, Ohio is considered the poorest city in our country? Cleveland also tops the list for having the most children living in poverty in the United States. The “poverty threshold” as stated by our government is $10,590 for one person, $13,540 for two people, or $21,027 for two adults and two children. Have you ever lived on that amount of money? When I was single, I tried to live on approximately $19,000 a year, while having a decent home and decent transportation. There were times when I lived on mac and cheese or PB&J for 3 days before payday because I didn’t have the money for anything else, and I was at nearly double the poverty level.
Then there is crime. I don’t understand how our government can spend billions of dollars overseas to “make the world safer” when they can’t even make our own country safe. In the top 20 most dangerous cities in the US, Cleveland, Youngstown, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio are ranked 10th, 15th, 16th, and 19th respectively. No other state in the country had more cities on the “dangerous” list than Ohio. (On the bright side, Parma, Ohio was ranked 23 as the safest cities in the country.)
I just don’t understand, I guess.
Why is it that there are so many charitable organizations to aid in the relief of world hunger, world poverty, and world disease? In addition, we see so much of our government’s money being sent overseas as “aid” to other countries. What’s wrong with keeping that money here – in the USA – and using it here – in the USA – to combat poverty, hunger, disease, or whatever here – in the USA? I know that may sound a little selfish to some, but I'm just a little confused.
The United States is supposed to be soooo powerful – a “superpower” – yet we can’t even take care of our own citizens. What is that all about?
Is there really anything that we, as individuals, can do to improve these situations? We could, obviously, start right here in our own town, in our own state. Just see some of the interesting things I’ve read about over the last few days.
Doesn’t anyone realize that Cleveland, Ohio is considered the poorest city in our country? Cleveland also tops the list for having the most children living in poverty in the United States. The “poverty threshold” as stated by our government is $10,590 for one person, $13,540 for two people, or $21,027 for two adults and two children. Have you ever lived on that amount of money? When I was single, I tried to live on approximately $19,000 a year, while having a decent home and decent transportation. There were times when I lived on mac and cheese or PB&J for 3 days before payday because I didn’t have the money for anything else, and I was at nearly double the poverty level.
Then there is crime. I don’t understand how our government can spend billions of dollars overseas to “make the world safer” when they can’t even make our own country safe. In the top 20 most dangerous cities in the US, Cleveland, Youngstown, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio are ranked 10th, 15th, 16th, and 19th respectively. No other state in the country had more cities on the “dangerous” list than Ohio. (On the bright side, Parma, Ohio was ranked 23 as the safest cities in the country.)
I just don’t understand, I guess.
Photo Contest Follow-Up
Although my photo did not get a ribbon or award of any kind (and it was displayed in a really crappy spot), it was really cool to see it hanging there with other photos. I studied the winners and thought that mine could've been right up there - really. I did notice, specifically, that four of the five or six ribbons awarded were "beach-related" sunrise/sunset pictures. Although mine had water in the picture, it just wasn't "beachy" enough! ;)
Now I have something to "shoot" for...
Now I have something to "shoot" for...
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