November 19th

Although my intention was to avoid another rant on the subject of my parents divorce, I'm having a bit of difficulty doing so today as my mind continues to return to this specific day one year ago. November 19th,2007. I never dreamed that that day would happen. It wasn't supposed to happen, I thought. MY parent's marriage of almost 30 years was proof that commitment could last forever. Then November 19th happened. I somehow feel at times that I am responsible for picking it up. A year ago today, I really thought that it was possible, to pick it all up. Like a cup spilled on the coffee table; something that could be cleaned up and mended. They say that time will heal, but I disagree. It only proves that everything is temporary.
I sat in church tonight and listened to a woman speak about Paul sailing to Rome. It's a story in Acts commonly known as The Storm at Sea. and about a man named Paul who displayed extraordinary faith. At this particular time, Paul was a prisoner aboard a boat headed for Rome along with 276 other men. This boat was caught in a massive storm, but through Paul's bold and unshakable faith all 276 men were able to arrive safely to dry land. You can read the whole story in Acts chapter 27.
I was thinking about this storm of Paul's and also thinking about this storm that I have been undergoing for the majority of this past year. I feel similar to Paul in the sense that a good man is trapped in such a tragic and tempestuous storm. It is often told that people are taken through these "storms" in life so that after the storm has calmed they will be able to help someone later in life who is going through a similar storm. I fully agree that that is possible, but tonight I encountered something different. Perhaps I am in this storm for all of the other people that are in this storm. I am like Paul, a prisoner amongst 276.

"22But now I urge you to have courage because there will be no loss of life among you, but only loss of the ship. 23For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me 24and said, ‘Stop being afraid, Paul! You must stand before Ceasar. Indeed, God has given to you the lives of everyone who is sailing with you.’ 25So take courage, men, because I trust God that it will turn out just as he told me."

Perhaps I am in this storm for my Mom and Dad. A couple who at one time had a beautiful family that took weekend camping trips together and sat down at the dinner table to enjoy a good home cooked meal.
Maybe I am in this tempest for my two Brothers and their new wives. So that I can be their Paul, and stand up with amazing faith and say take heed brothers, God has given me the lives of everyone sailing with me.
Maybe I am in it for everyone affected by November 19th.
Maybe I am not in this storm to pat someone on the shoulder later and tell them "I know what you're going through".
Maybe I am in it for the 276.

The good news to this story is that Paul and his 276 landed safely on an Island called Malta. Some of them were able to swim and some of them floated in on planks and remnants of the broken ship, but they all arrived protected just as promised. SO, take courage, friends, for I trust that it will turn out just the way God has told.

Tonight,I ask you, my readers, to say a little prayer for me and those who are sailing along with me. This storm has been long, it's been windy, and it's been very rough. Pray for courage and for the hearts of my 276.

Marge Simpson

We had a little trouble fitting.

I love Halloween. This year I thought long and hard on my costume and at the last minute finally decided on Marge Simpson. This costume was, for the most part, simple. Basically all I needed to focus on was the hair. I got two blue wigs from the local Wal-Mart, a three liter coke bottle, and a hot glue gun. I cut the top off of the three liter bottle and hot clued it to the top of the wig. I then, sectioned off pieces of the hair, pulled them up onto the bottle and glued them down for security. One wig was just not enough, as Marge's beehive is quite an updo. I took the second wig and cut pieces off to create a somewhat "curly" look for this cartoonish halloween costume. I searched high and low for the perfect green dress, and unfortunately this is where the costume fell a little short. If you recall Marge wears a strapless green dress with a strand of large red beads around her neck. Given the season, I found it difficult to find a place with a strapless green dress. People at work loved the costume regardless and I found that tips were much higher due to me wearing a costume. Thank goodness no one found any Blue hairs in their entree. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to blame that on anyone else!
Later that night after arriving home I found my roommate searching for a costume to wear throughout the house so that we could go out. Now, if you know Lee at all you know that she's not much of a "go out" girl. I was thrilled at this opportunity and tried vigorously to find her something to wear too. We tried being a hippie, a cowgirl, and finally--TOGA, TOGA, TOGA!!! We decided that Marge couldn't go out because Homer was drunk from all of his Duff beer, so I threw on a Toga too! (This brought back some good memories) So here it is folks, Lee's very first Halloween adventure!!!