Three Randoms Make a Point

Random Story #1: I don't drink. Well, of course I drink liquids, silly! But, I don't drink alcohol. Okay...maybe a glass or two of wine at dinner once in a great while, but never more than two...and really not very often. Not even once a month. Really. I'm just not a drinker. A lot of ministry leaders aren't. Kind of a conflict of interests, you know? I really strive to live according to my beliefs. And I really am a new creation in Christ. So, it's been twenty years since I've "partied." (Can you follow the dots on that statement? I plead the 5th and refuse to answer any more questions.)

Random Story #2: When I first moved to the town I now live in, it was a trial. I moved 70 miles from a town where I was pretty popular. I had a thriving ministry. Over sixty-five women from all over town came EVERY WEEK to hear me teach. They represented many different churches. Many of the congregations spoke well of the ministry I founded. I had been interviewed on the radio. I had so many speaking engagements every week, I had to begin turning them down so that they didn't interfere with my home life. I'm a social person, and life was F-U-N. I moved to a town that is really close to the big city. (Now, I grew up in Milwaukee, which is just as big, if not bigger that this "big city" I live near. I thought it would be similar...NOT!) The culture and feel of the people here in the small town (which is part of the metro of this "big city") I live in was...really different. People were really distant, unwilling to be close and genuine - not at all like ANY people group I had ever had to live in (and I've been AROUND!) I've finally - after almost 7 years, now - broken into some sort of group and made a group of friends, but it hasn't been easy! I've had to start creating my own rules, and it has been DIFFICULT! (And, I still visit my old town at least 3x/month for moral support!)

Random Story #3: My family is probably not like the typical family, in that my hubby really values peace. I still wonder why he was attracted to me?! I am kind of a girl who likes to be the center of attention. (Actually, after almost 19 years of marriage, I am becoming more like Mike...or maybe I'm just getting more mature...and he was born with an old soul...wise and peaceful...) But, my son is a quiet boy, too. (With a streak of mischief that strikes now and again when there's not enough action and he thinks he needs to torment his sister if she's too happy...sigh.) Bridgette was born with a loud voice that could break a glass. Poor girl. Her father has been telling her to use her "inside voice" (wasn't she whispering, Mike?) since she could speak...even when she isn't raising her voice. Yes. Our dog gets shushed when she barks. (We now have the "Thundershirt" (Have you seen that advertised? It works.) and the threat of putting it on makes her stop barking. She no like. So, our house is a no-noise zone. The only time the no-noise ban is lifted is on Friday nights when our house is invaded by teenagers for pizza-movie nights. We are the house of choice, and we deliberately lift the ban because we want to know what our kids are doing, and we want their friends to always associate us and this house with fun and safety. (They have great friends and we want to keep it that way!)

The Point: I've been here 6 1/2 years now. Mike's been here 7. In that time, I've made lots of friends, but a few are really good friends. I've had a stressful week or two, felt kind of sick, so when my friends Michelle and Melissa and I finally got our act together and went out last night, it was SUCH A RELIEF!!!! I used to be really wild, and I control myself at home, and I may not drink anymore but I am still who I am. The great thing about Melissa and Michelle is that they share the same beliefs as I do, and when I start to get silly and rowdy, it gets contagious (not like some people, who just look at me as though I am crazy...come on people!). So, last night we met at a mexican restaurant and then took in a movie. We narrowed it down to a "Dramady" (which is what the ticket lady said it was) or a "Drama". Somebody dies in both the movies. What a drag! But, because the dramady had a better chance of some laughs, we chose it. It was sad. I cried. I think I saw Michelle cry and I heard Melissa sniffling two seats down over there, too. But, it was pretty good. (Oh, in case you're wondering, we saw "The Descendants") All was not lost. George Clooney was in the movie. How could it be bad? And the older daughter in the movie...didn't catch her name...she was THE BEST actress in this one...she should win an award. Seriously. Bang up job. ANYHOW...then, we had pie...and laughed so loud and hard...I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out. It was like the three stooges. Somebody parked so close to Melissa's van...we couldn't get in! She had to open the sliding door in the back and had to crawl in the front that way! All the while, we laughing so hard it made the execution of crawling in almost impossible...which made us laugh even harder. Seriously, we didn't need alcohol to look like idiots. Ha!
The point??? Oh, yeah...I do have friends and fun and a wonderful family. I have so many facets to this complicated life of mine that provide such enrichment, emotion and wonder for me every second of every day. I am never bored. I can't think of the last time I was bored! (What a concept!)