Contentment

I have not posted in awhile - have had many great ideas and events to share, but never got organized enough to download them from my mind and heart to the keypad...and then they were gone ~ whoosh ~ as happens frequently in my life. God gives me such glimmers of wonder and delight so often (I thank Him for that!!!) and insights or revelations that are really neat or meaningful...I would like to get back in the habit of writing them down. I have been out of journaling for awhile, among other things that have fallen out of practice ~ I am striving to return to self-discipline for these things...had some *moments* of return this summer, but overall still way off. Ah, but I digress...

So last weekend I was attending a planning meeting for an upcoming event, and after arriving about an hour late based upon some unexpected and distressing "turbulence" in my home that morning, I settled in to participate in the day (I had listened to a terrific CD from Integrity, given to me by a dear friend, Lorna, a couple of years ago ~ it got me right back into a better state of mind and heart as I was driving to my meeting place) :-)

Anyway, a question was asked (as an ice-breaker) "If you had a day, and money was no object, how would you spend it?" (or something to that effect)...My mind first went to the orphans in Haiti ~ they are found in the gutters sometimes, mere infants without hope ~ and I had a desire to serve them. My husband and I know a couple who own/run an orphanage in Haiti and are always looking for help as they live here and eke by while traveling there and doing what they can when they can. My own family of origin also has ties to Haiti with medical missionaries and some pastors who had hearts for there ~ but, here is the kicker, I hadn't anticipated this being what would come to mind.

So, as others were talking about some GREAT escapes (believe me, many of them sounded terrific!) ;-) I kept searching my heart for a different idea for me (one that was more fun and lighthearted), but this persisted. Each time I thought about alternatives (e.g. taking my family to Norway to see my relatives and travel around the country visiting all of my cousins and viewing the incredible scenery...or going to a tropical island and having a pampered vacation...or paying off my home ~ or even purchasing a home that is more typical of what I am familiar from childhood and family...)...I couldn't experience them as *important* to me, really.

For instance, the trip to Norway is something I have wanted to do as it is too expensive to travel with the seven of us, in general, that far. Last time I visited was in the summer of 1997, which is a long time ago considering I used to spend much of my summers there while growing up. One would think this would be my priority ~ but I figured that the Lord could provide for that opportunity again one day, as well as for the other things I mused about such as beaches and other travels ~ and the orphanage I would NEVER be able to do for it what I would like...not on my own or with the lifestyle I currently lead, as it stands now (I shouldn't say Never as God IS the God of amazing things). God has always provided for the daily, with a bit extra thrown in for fun ~ I imagine HE will continue to do so :-)

So then I began musing ~ I have had SO many incredible opportunities and experiences that many don't get to enjoy. I have traveled all over the world, been independent since the age of 16 and have had a adventurous streak since I was a child. I am as at home at a formal event with black tie and gowns (you know the kind; appetizer, salad, soup, lemon sorbet to cleanse the palat, main course, dessert, coffee...lots of chit chat and such, some dancing...) as I am hanging out with my old redneck friends in their garage, chit chatting over a barrel filled with fire for warmth (here's the picture - cowboy hats and worn jeans, women in tight tank tops, men in plaid shirts...cans of Budweiser abundant in sight, all working together to build an ultralight airplane that will have its maiden voyage the owner's tree farm in Charlottesville).

I have been to plays in New York and Washington DC, concerts, benefit events, art shows, etc. I have played on boats and watercraft on all kinds in rivers, oceans and waterways in many different places - even cruising the intercoastals in Florida's neat, amazingly expensive areas in a fun and fancy speedboat (with a male friend who promised me he would buy me this INCREDIBLE house there if I married him...hahaha). I got to ride the railways and travel Europe via the Eurarail passes as a teen living in Belgium ~ spent the night in a bar on a table with girlfriends while returning to Belgium from touring Amsterdam and Holland...I also skied the alps (and took lessons from a really good swiss skier) among other locations while living overseas.

I have seen sunsets and sunrises on both Pacific and Atlantic coasts, alone as well as with friends and loved ones...I even drove up to see the sunrise over Mt. Rushmore one day (another VERY interesting adventure I chose to partake in). I have traveled through or in most of the States, and lived in several ~ enjoying many different parks, rivers, lakes, beaches, mountains, etc. I have been to stock car races, horse races and hound races (dressed a bit differently for each one ;-) ), I have visited many beaches, been scuba diving, snorkeling, swam with dolphin and took pictures of some incredible sea life (I used to want to be a marine biologist). I have fished, been to rodeos, flown in a twin engine plane with a friend who had a ranch in Colorado, and hiked amazing mountains. I have even rappelled and rock climbed (limited) as well as shot rifles and pistols. I have attended a variety of outdoor concerts and dance events (Riverdance is amazing), as well as indoor rock concerts and garage band events. I have written songs for friends garage bands, published poems and even had one put to music and produced...

What more could I ask for? There is so much more I have experienced - it just came back to me in snippets as I sat there musing at the meeting. God has been so good to me. I grew up with so many opportunities, had great support for schooling and extra-curricular events, got to travel with my family and visit many theme parks, historic monuments, etc...what more could I really want?? Since college (which I started at barely 17 since I couldn't wait to move on to independence, and graduated a year early so I could get out and know more of the world) I have been allowed so much more as well. I have experienced the position of director for a few companies, as well as worked as the lowest man on the totem pole. I have also served in pizza joints at night to pay bills while working forty hours per week as an intern post college to complete my training...I have gotten many neat alternate work experiences than what I have been privileged with during my cool career. I have worked as a vet assistant, a dispatcher, a movie theater employee (at a tiny theater), a Wendy's employee (back in the day of "try our hot and juicy" - ugh), an adminstrative assistant for a college summer school dean (that was very busy), a paper girl, an editor, and a church youth director... Whatever it is to be, I follow that lead as has been my way...

As for extra curricular through high school and college, I have enjoyed cheerleading, soccer (men's team in high school as they didn't have a girls team overseas), basketball, volleyball, student council, sorority participation (and several offices with that), and many clubs. I have taken ballroom dance lessons by myself (fun when you get to learn with the instructor!), household maintenance classes, auto mechanic classes, and was working toward a PhD in two areas before quitting my studies while my current marriage got underway. Now I study when I can, read voraciously, and love spending time with my kids as well as retreating to aloneness in my gardens or on the back deck in the mornings...something about the sound of birds and quiet is so peaceful and amazing. :-)

So, I have been given so much - so incredibly much...that to even ask for more that is frivolous seems unnecessary and so incredibly selfish. I am so grateful for my life thus far as I have experienced just about everything I have ever wanted to try. Giving to those who have had nothing but struggle seems like such a blessing, and is incredibly freeing to my spirit to consider. Overall, though some things are not as I would desire in my life, I am wholly content with all that God has provided me over the years...and I trust fully that He will continue to provide. Praise Him ~