Wednesday Hodgepodge #3

1. Summertime is a season of reunions, weddings, and other family celebrations and gatherings...are any of the above on your calendar in the next two months?

We have two birthdays and look forward to seeing friends visiting from out of state.

2. June is National Iced Tea Month...are you an iced tea drinker? If so, how do you like yours (sweet, flavored, etc)? 

 I enjoy iced tea in the summer, but not too sweet.

3. When were you last nervous?  Looking back, was the 'event' actually nerve-worthy?

I feel nervous whenever I ride in the car with my husband and he drives (sorry, Honey). And, yes, it is sometimes nerve-worthy.

4. The bristle toothbrush was invented in China on June 26, 1498...not sure how that date was pinned down so precisely but, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being sick to your stomach and 1 being not at all, how nervous do you feel when you're headed to the dentist?  Do you see your dentist twice a year?

I feel  a 2 on the dental nervousness scale. I have not been good about seeing the dentist twice a year the last few years.

5. What's making news in your town this week?

Hmmm, I live in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area so there's always something crazy going on.

6. Curtains, drapes, blinds...your window treatment of choice? Are there any bare windows in your house? Is that by choice or because you haven't gotten around to covering them? 

I have different window treatments for different windows of my home. The bedrooms have blinds (my son's rooms used to have valances too, but they didn't like them so they came down). The living room has sheer curtains and thermal-lined drapes over them to keep the hot sun out in the summer and cut down on cold drafts in the winter. The dining room French doors have lace valances as does the kitchen. The family room has curtains that we close in the evening for privacy. My bedroom windows are bare. Not that we're trying to give our neighbors a free show, but we are painting the room at the moment. I plan to replace the blinds that were up with shades and lace panels. (What can I say? I love lace.)

7. Summertime is officially here (in the Northern hemisphere anyway)...whatone song is a must-have on your summer playlist?

Jessica by the Allman Brothers Band.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Can I confess that I really dislike painting? It seems to take forever to get the job done :(

Image: tiverylucky/freedigitalphotos.net

Meeting the Challenge

Day 3 of the Blogging From A to Z Challenge gives me the perfect word to write about today, Challenge.

I don't know anyone who is not facing a challenge.

Some of those challenges are internal such as struggling with feeling unappreciated, anxiety, self-doubt, grief or anger.  Other people's challenges are external.  Maybe they're dealing with an estranged relationship, serious illness, financial problems, or employment needs.  Whatever form our challenges take, we all have them.

One of the hardest things about dealing with our challenges can be the feeling of powerlessness we experience.  Some of our challenges occur not because of choices we've made or something we've done.  They occur because of circumstances beyond our control.  For example, if we're involved in a car accident caused by someone else and now have months of rehabilitation ahead, it is going to be a challenge on many levels.  We didn't choose to have this happen, nothing we did caused it, but now we have to deal with the repercussions.

That feeling of powerlessness can lead to feelings of anger, discouragement or helplessness.  But we can't let ourselves go down under the waves of these feelings and drown.

No matter what challenge we're currently facing, a support group or support person can be our lifeline.  Having an advocate, a listening ear or someone to physically help us can make the challenge seem more bearable.

As a Christian, I know I always have someone ready to listen when I feel overwhelmed and someone to take on my challenge and help me walk through it.  I've been a Christian for a long time and know that living for God  does not come with a "Get out of jail free" card.  I face as many and as difficult challenges as anyone else.  But I have a support system that can't be beat.  I might feel like I'm sinking, but I'll never drown, no matter what.

Are you facing any challenges that just seem impossible to deal with?  Write and share.  I'd be happy to pray for you.

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Trust

Welcome to 5 Minute Friday.  This week's word is Trust.

In God We Trust.  Or so it says on U.S. coins.  A strong, profound, planting both feet on the ground statement.  But do we really mean it on a personal level?

If we truly trust God, we won't worry, be anxious, stay up sleepless at night fussing and fuming over this decision or that.  If we truly trust God, we will put aside our fears, anxieties and worries, close our eyes and go to sleep.

If we truly trust God, we will have a heart of peace knowing that our lives are not spinning out of control, but are perfectly IN control ... just not our control.  Are we willing to live with that?  Are we willing to give up the control over our lives, circumstances and decisions and really, truly trust God to work on our behalf?

It's a bold step to say and mean In God I Trust.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3.Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them.

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