Ten years ago today.

It started like any other day. I woke up even though I didn't want to, got ready for school and headed out the door. That is where the normality of October 18, 1996 ended. It was ended by a white ford ranger. Ten years ago I was in an accident that I should not have been able to walk away from. I was broadsided (on my side of the car) by a truck. He was going 55 mph (in a 25mph zone) and I was barely going 5 mph. I woke up after being hit, cut off the radio (which I always thought was weird) and found myself facing the direction I had just come from. I had been spun several times by the impact of the blow. A man ran up to my window and asked if I was okay...I asked him if I could get out of the car...he told me I had glass in my ear, and then he removed it for me. Of course, it all felt like a dream. The damage from the crash completely totaled my car. I walked away from the accident with a bruised hip from where the door smashed in on me, scratches on my neck from the seatbelt I was wearing and a sore neck from being smacked upside the head at 55 mph!
My wreck has been on my mind all day long. I've thought over and over about what all has happened to me in the last ten years. I've met some amazing people and some I'd rather have not met. I have seen beautiful places here in my country and in two other countries. I've had the opportunity to be used by Him to change the lives of those around me...and I've chosen to miss opportunities to change lives. There are many things I'm proud of in those ten years. Yet I am not proud of where I am today. I hit a few bumps the road. Each bump was medium in impact, yet each chiseled away slowly at my core. The last bump proved to be too much for me. I feel the enemy won those battles. So today, I think to myself, should be a day of change. No longer will I allow myself to dwell in the heaviness of disappointments. I cannot keep this snail-like pace of getting back to where I must be. I have a purpose that I am reminded of when I think of that wreck. My life could have easily been taken. I've known that the Lord wants to use me in a big way....but I'm always holding myself back. I wish that I could say that I'm ready to "dive in" today, but I'm not. I am ready, however, for change. I'm ready to live with a purpose. I'm ready to get back to the mentality that life is simply opportunity for ministry everyday. I want to be able to say, at then end of the next decade, that I did my best to live God's purpose for my life. I want to be a servant. I want to be known as a servant. I want to have the heart of Jesus and the drive of Martha and the passion of Peter with the humility of David and the ability to teach like Paul. I pray that I do not live defeated. Father, help me not to live defeated. I know You are not done with me and I'm so thankful for the reminder!

Chaotic Katrina

I'm ashamed to say that I have been avoiding the subject of Katrina, but that is exactly the truth, so why lie! Honestly I know it can be depressing to be surrounded by it all over the media and not have an oultet for the emotions it envokes. Yet again I feel guilty because I am able to escape the distruction and so many are not able to. My wish in writing this is to simply let out my feelings and concern for the people who are having to see it on a daily basis. Honestly, I'd love nothing more than to be with them, hugging on them, and picking up debri and helping to rebuild thier lives and homes. It breaks my heart to hear so many of them on TV crying out that no one cares for this reason or that...especially when it is not the case. We do care. Its unfortunate to me that everyone, especially the media, are detrimentally focused on all the people to blame and less focused on what is actually being done to help them. We know where the blame lies.....it was the hurricane! Who can prepare for the distruction that it caused?? And if you do figure out someone to blame....what good is it going to do you?? That will not help rebuild your homes, it will not bring back the people who have died, and it will not erase from your minds the horror that you might have seen in the disaster. It will not benefit anyone. Instead the focus needs to be on what IS being done to help those in need and those who are caring for them. We must remember that faith is believing in what is not seen. So that means believing something is being done even when you don't see the direct results. Help cannot be immediate for everyone...yet it will come! It breaks my heart to hear and see those who are taking advantage by stealing, and preventing help from coming by being violent. It also breaks my heart to see that there are still those who believe that race would actually stop someone from wanting to help. I had thought we were growing passed that....but I guess I'm just naive. Well, I feel like I'm starting to ramble so I must stop. Please, remember to pray for these people for God's provision, protection and peace. He is able to bring about good from bad situations. We must pray that He will show Himself in this trajedy and that people will see Him, maybe even for the first time. That is the best thing that could happen from this chaos!

Leave a legacy

I've always said that when I die I want people to say of me that I served as Jesus did. I try to live my life accordingly. I have gone through a bit of a rough time, as most of you know, and was very me-focus for what seemed like forever. Slowly, I'm being brought back to this place where a deep longing is to serve. I'm reminded of it while I'm at my new job and am refreshed by all the possiblities it has given me to serve others. I am looking into volunteering for an organization called Young Life that works with youth and children in Montgomery; which is another outlet for service. I am so excited about getting back on track with this. I also see another opportunity to serve and it may be as simple as befriending an old woman. Today I was walking back from lunch and this old woman started talking to me...mind you I was a ways away from her, so I tried to walk towards her a bit. I was cautious at first because I wasn't sure if it was a man or not! She seemed to fit the bill for a homeless person right down to her grocery cart, but I'm not sure at this point. She started saying something about Thursday or Friday and then I heard skirts??? I ask her what she said and she repeated that if I'd like to give away some skirts she'd take them....but something about paying thursday or friday. I was still trying to be cautious, because my dad says I'm a sucker, so I said okay and to have a nice day. When I went inside I found another co-worker, who I think is a Christian, and I asked her if she knew anything about the woman. I was told that this woman is always asking for clothes and things but they weren't sure what she did with them. My co-worker said she had spoken with her before and thinks that she might get some sort of government check but her family takes it before she can get it. My heart is broken for her and I remember where Jesus says, "whatsoever you do for the least of these, you do also unto me." And I don't think it matters what she does with the clothes, because it is something she says she needs. So I am praying that the Lord will show me ways to reach her. And perhaps give me opportunity to get to know her. I'm going to be honest and say that it is not the most comfortable thought for me....it is definately a step out there. Yet, I know that if I were this woman.....a friendship with someone who cared would speak volumes. Please pray for me as I encounter this woman. Pray that I will be sensitive to the Lord's leading and that I would be proactive in what He is leading! I don't want to miss any opportunities to serve and I know that the number one thing that can stand in my way of it....is myself! I'm looking forward to how I'm grown through it. Have a great week and remember JOY...Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last!

Bird Death Count
Babies: 15
Adults: 2

The Worlds Children

I began watching this report on Dateline NBC tonight but couldn't bare it. I felt horrible that these kids have to live with this situation and I could choose to turn it off and watch something else. So I decided to write a post about it. When I see things like this, and the Aids epidemic in Africa, it just saddens me. I feel helpless that I cannot help these people or these children out. I cannot imagine all the things that these kids have had to endure. I could write more and maybe will later about this, but I will just say that if you have time....read this article. Perhaps it will bring your day or your trials into perspective. And my fellow Chrisitans...we need to pray for these innocent children. The terrorist is doing this in the name of Christ and we must pray that he is stopped!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9006024/

Quotes from C.S. Lewis

"I do not think all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road. A sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on."


"They've got cinemas and fish and chip shops and advertisements and all the sort of things they want. The appalling lack of any intellectual life doesn't worry them." The Great Divorce

Mid-week Report!

Well, I have been working for Colonial for three official days now! I really think that I am going to enjoy it. Everyone is so nice and the enviornment is very laid back! I had employee orientation today and am just amazed at how well this company treats their employees! I'm excited about the opportunties that this place will bring! I hope to establish good relationships with my co-workers and be a servant to them as Jesus would! My prayer is that I can utilize the pay increase that I have since switching jobs and the bonuses that will come periodically in order to pay off the dark cloud of student loans looming over me! (Wow that was a major run-on sentence!) Hopefully I can do this in a very timely manner in order to get to where my heart truly lies. Ministry. I am currently checking into a couple of non-profit/non-denominational ministires that might prove to be the next step once I am debt free! We shall see...it will all come in due time! I am still looking for a church. I visited a church in Montgomery Sunday and was just sickened. I could gripe about each occurance but it wouldn't help anyone so based on Ephesians 4:29...I shall refrain. I will simply say that my prayer life has been strengthened in praying that this particular mindset I see so often will be demolished; for it is not of God! I know that some of you think I am being picky and just church hopping or "dating the church" but I know what is truly important and what would be classified as being nitpicky! I pray that I will find it soon for I am just discouraged with each new visit!

Bird Death Toll: 14 Baby Birdies
1 Adult Bird

Death Toll 12!

It is a sad sad scene in my backyard! I've raised a serial killer! The baby birdy death toll is now up to 12. I didn't realize that so many baby birds could exist in one back yard at a time! Oh please pray for these baby birds! You know I just see it as him not wanting anything to praise God in his place..right? "Ain't no bird gonna flap its feathers long as I'm alive I'll glorify His holy name!" Thats all Zack is saying! Right? Anyway, I'm a bit nervous tonight as I am starting a new job tomorrow! I hate the first day! I probably won't sleep any! I have so much going through my head. And what to wear? At Lifeway we had those ugly old uniforms, but at least I knew what I was going to wear! HA! Well, I guess I should try to get some sleep! I will write more later! Have a great week! :)

His name is Zack!

There is finally a man in my life and he is just precious to me! His name is Zack...well Zacceas. He is my puppy and I love him. He is driving me crazy though because he likes to play with things that move alot! Roaches, caterpillars, beetles you name it. I wouldn't be bothered by it except now it is birds! These baby birds have been falling out of a tree in my back yard and my puppy plays with them to death. No, literally to death! I have had to dispose of seven, yes SEVEN, little birdy bodies! I was fortunate enough to save one from death, he would've made eight! Oh it is just so sad. How do you teach a puppy that birds don't want to play with him? Anyway, more adventures of the fabulous Zacceas will follow later i'm sure!

Take this job and shove it!

Take this job and shove it...I ain't workin here no more. I don't mean to offend you but I'm walking out the door! Finally, after 5 long years I am saying goodbye to Lifeway. I have recently been hired by corporate headquarters of Colonial Bank as a customer service agent! I am so glad that I will finally have a real job! It pays two dollars more an hour plus offers financial bonuses regularly. (Not to mention that bank holidays are the BEST!) I will have medical, dental and vision insurance and enough income to pay off those pesky student loans. If things go as planned I will look into buying a car. I already have my eyes on a Jeep Liberty. I'm so excited about this new part of my life. If only I could find the right church! I'll write more later. I just wanted to give an update. By the way, all of you seminary students need to update your blogs! I'm getting tired of reading the same old posts! :) I miss you.

In the Muck!

If you would have asked me a year ago where I would be in life....it would have been anywhere but here! Just one year ago I was in Fort Worth at Seminary and seemingly on the right path headed straight for ministry. I had so much fun last summer. I can tell you that I will never regret my seminary experience because of so many great people that I was able to fellowship with. My seminary friends you are dear to me and I'm thankful for you all. You have taught me so much and we sure did have a lot of fun. I'm also thankful for the support you still give me even though we are far away. I was thinking today after rereading my last posting about the road not taken and was reminded again of how God often works in my life. (And many other people I have talked to.) You see the thing about the road not taken is that it is not clearly paved. Yes, there are structural stabilities in that it will lead to somewhere and that eventually, over time, you will get to that somewhere. It is the same with life. You can choose the road that is clearly marked where the goal is easier to see and ever visual....or you can choose the path that holds the most surprises. In choosing to follow Christ, and yearning for the direction that God would have me to follow, I have chosen the road less traveled by and it will make the difference. I've often used the analogy of the Christian life as a maze. It seems that you are correctly headed in the right direction and reach a door only to find that the next step is to the right and down another corridor. If you weren't heading to the first door then you would never have found that corridor and the next step in solving the maze. It is the same with the road less traveled. I sort of imagine God with a machete, much like the one my dad got me from Saudi Arabia, waiting for me to come to the right place and then WACK, down go the pesky undergrowth that threatens your progress! Its rather exciting...at least most of the time it is. Sometimes you find yourself traveling through the muck and the mud that would never have existed on the well traveled road. Yet inevitably you find yourself in a place of utter amazement of the Creator. You learn to appreciate Him, the muck and mud, the horrid undergrowth, the twists and the turns, and the unpredictable path that tought you through the journey. I am truly thankful for the muck and the mud because you only know the bad after experiencing the good!

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Here is to the road not taken and knowing the difference!!

One down.....another disappointment!

Today began my search for a church. I decided to step outside of the denomination that I am accustomed to and visit a Methodist church. After all, I think that denominations are just another way to separate God's church! (However, I fully understand the reason for their existence.) So I walk in the church with a friend a little before the service started. There was another service ending as we arrived so my friend and I decided to explore a bit. We walked down the hallway and saw the youth room and what looked to be a little bookstore. (Which seems to be more and more common in today's churches and a subject that I might write more on later.) I was looking at the books when I saw some anointing oil for sale, this isn't too out of the ordinary for me but I was surprised to see it at the Methodist church. Who knew? I kept looking on this product table when I saw another item that they were selling. It was some sort of bath care line or something called Abba. Um.....They were selling Shower Gel at the church and the line of products was basically called Father??? Perhaps this shouldn't have had the effect on me that it did, but from that moment on I was a little less than excited about my first attempt to find a church. I was momentarily reminded of the time when Jesus overturned the temple because of the market being held in it. Pushing that thought aside my friend and I went into the auditorium. It was dimly lit to assist in a worshipful atmosphere and was somewhat smaller than I had imagined. The praise band started and I tried to get into the worship but it was the same ole praise songs done the same ole way. After a while these songs loose their meaning because they are way overdone. I guess it is just like the law of diminishing returns....Which happens to be the only thing I learned in Economics class. The preacher gets up and starts talking about this medical mission trip to Brazil, which I am super interested in since I love Brazil. Then he goes on and on about Brazilian Methodists and how they love to worship and we Methodist need to worship like those Methodist, Methodist, Methodist, Methodist! blah blah blah.....I was beginning to feel like I was in some other Baptist churches I've been to. I don't want to hear about your denomination....I want to hear about Jesus thank you! I'm so tired of the same old thing. Everywhere I go the focus seems to be off! Anyway, before I get off on that tangent...We sing a couple more songs and then my friend and I decided to just go ahead and leave. I had the worst attitude by that point anyway so it was pointless to stay. It is all my fault because I have such high expectations and they just aren't met. I'm not looking for a perfect church, though it may sound that way, I'm just looking for more! My friend Michelle and I were talking tonight that it is hard to put into words what we are looking for in a church. We just know that we've been a part of churches before who had it and we cannot settle for less. Once you've tasted the best it is so hard to accept anything less. I really don't feel that the Lord would want us to either. So....That is how the search has begun....Now I have to get back to the drawing board and decide which church is next. Not that this is entertaining, but I shall keep you (whoever "you" are) posted.

The Pursuit of Knowledge

So here is a question that I am most certain I will get reamed for. That is quite alright though because I'm really just chewing over it myself. I've been thinking for some time now that the cause of the fall of man was the temptation of achieving knowledge. To be exact it was to obtain the knowledge of good and evil and, therefore, become like God. So....if the pursuit of this is what led to the fall of man, wouldn't it be a warning sign to us of the same outcome. (Not that man can fall again but that the consequences are harsh and deadly.) Perhaps simply the knowledge of good and evil, or the loss of innocence, is the only thing that we are to protect ourselves from. I can't help thinking though that as scholars pursue more and more knowledge of doctrine and theology they become more and more in bondage to that knowledge. I'm not suggesting that we should simply toss out the pursuit of knowledge alltogether. After all, we would not be more than vegetables if that were the answer. Even a baby's movement is a gain in knowledge. Maybe what I am trying to say is that we should be careful in what knowledge we are pursuing. The Bible says that the "fear of the Lord is the begin of knowledge." I think that instead of striving for the perfect doctrine and spending hours debating and researching....we should simply put our efforts into growing in our knowledge of Him. Not doctrines about Him. Simply who He is. Learning about who He is from His Word alone is more beneficial and less costly than the pursuit of theological doctrines. It was the fishermen and the tax collectors that Jesus chose to use greatly.....not the scholars. The scholars were too busy in their pursuit of knowledge to be bothered by Jesus. They let the pursuit overtake the actual Truth sitting before them. I fear that we are at risk of this today. Be careful in your pursuits and make sure that the most effort is put into truly knowing Him not in understanding the rules or the theories.

The Church

I have a confession....I haven't been to church since February! I realize that it is not good to be out of the fellowship of believers and under the teaching of the Word. I'm just not so sure that what I want in a church exists. Here is the thing....I'm tired of the church as we know it. I don't believe that it is what Paul was talking about in the New Testament. I long for a small (very small), intimate, community of believers that can support and lift each other up. I think the house meetings they had during Paul's day was more of how church should be. It should be a place where we can feel free to admit sin in our lives, express freely the things burdening our hearts, and most importantly work together to share the Truth with others. Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that churches today are ineffective or that they shouldn't be in existance the way they are. (Lord knows I heard enough of that CRAP at Seminary.) What I am saying is that I want more now. I long for more in a church and the body of believers I will minister with. I'm not sure that what my heart craves even exists. However, I guess I won't know until I go looking for it. For those who are searching as I am, I pray that you find the place where the Lord would have you to serve and to grow. For me, the search begins Sunday. I'll keep you posted.

A Quarter of a Century!!!

So a few things have happened within the last couple of weeks. First of all, I turned 25 on the 16th! I know my older friends will laugh at me, but it has been a hard one. Age is usually just a number to me, yet somehow this is different. I don't know why. I just know that I don't like it very much. Another thing that happened was that one of my best friends got married. My friend Tara is no longer a single woman. It seems to be a plague among my closest friends, and I can't seem to catch it! Just kidding! On another note, I seem to have lost a bit of the bitterness that I left seminary with. I'm still not to sure how I feel about certain things in the church and especially the SBC. However, I am not as hot headed when the topics come up! So I guess that is about all that is going on with me. I will write more later.

I See Things Upside Down

T-Shirts (what we should be known for)
(words and music by derek webb)
they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
at anyone whose sin looks worse than ours
who cannot hide the scars
of this curse that we all bare

they’ll know us by our picket lines and signs
they’ll know us by the pride we hide behind
like anyone on earth is living right
and isn’t that why Jesus died
not to make us think we’re right

(chorus)
when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and we die

they’ll know us by reasons we divide
and how we can’t seem to unify
because we’ve gotta sing songs a certain style
or we’ll walk right down that aisle
and just leave ‘em all behind

they’ll know us by the billboards that we make
just turning God’s words to cheap clichés
says “what part of murder don’t you understand?”
but we hate our fellow man
and point a finger at his grave

they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
telling ‘em their sins are worse than ours
thinking we can hide our scars
beneath these t-shirts that we wear

I love the lyrics of this song and the fact that I don't want to be a part of letting this be all they know us by!
Here's to breaking ties with picket lines and signs.....seems like a certain "association" sticks out. Sianara! Adios!
Because Love is what we should be known for!

Healing

I was reminded this week of what life was like for me before Seminary. I was reminded of the fact that there was someone responsible for stealing my joy. I was reminded that there is, in fact, something to look forward to. It is amazing to me how simple healing is sometimes. The right word or analogy can change a life in a split second. I remember before seminary a person that I loved. She was hopeful, joyful, innocent to a fault, trusting, outgoing, optimistic and so many other wonderful qualities. It was me! I remembered this week what it was like to walk in the intimacy that is ours for the taking. Not with a beloved, but with the Beloved! My relationship with the Father was more intimate than any relationship that I have ever known. I was confident in that intimacy to the point of looking like a fool. There were a few times where I was convinced that the Lord was using His creation to speak directly to me! I was reminded this week of what closeness those times brought. To think that the one who created the stars was using them to touch my heart was mind-blowing! Yet, I believe with all my heart that it happened. Somehow an unfortunate thing occurred.....I allowed a place and some people to take away these possibilities....To take away the intimacy. After all, who am I that God would choose to speak to me like that. Why would he bother? Surely, I had made it up. And how could I possibly know Him if I hadn't taken such and such a class...Or how could I possibly understand His word if I hadn't read the writings of the "Founding Fathers." Its amazing the different masks that the enemy wears.....He even wears some of our own. It sure didn't look like him when I was first looking. So, I forgot about the intimacy and in doing so.....I lost the only thing in life that I have to look forward to. The only thing that will never let me down in life is His love for me, His desire for my heart, and the intimacy that comes from knowing Him. I put up a fight for it all at first....Mostly out of innocence, but also because from what I've read in His word....I wasn't wrong. After a while I tired of it. Having it come from all sides just squashed me like a bug. I was screaming on the inside and did the worst possible thing......I shut down. I completely gave in to the weight of it all and took a hiatus on life. I left them all behind and crawled in a hole. I stopped pursuing a growing faith and settled for a simple truth that I believed the bible and that was enough for me. That is until now. When I remebered how sweet it was to have Him speak to me....Directly to me, so clearly, I knew that I had let it go and I wanted it back. So that is where I am and where I continually want to be, striving for the deepest intimacy that I can have with Him. Even now He speaks to my heart....Reminding me that He wants this too. By no means do I think He needs me to be intimate with Him.....Its even better....He wants me to! He has invited me to! There is nothing better in life than knowing that! For all of you who have prayed for me, I am inexpressibly grateful. You are all dear to my heart and I love you.
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

Why I love the blogging

I was watching TV while my mom and I were eating at Arby's last night and was just appalled. It was frustrating that they had the thing on in the first place, and equally agitating that the volume was up so loud that you had no choice but to hear it! It was on a news show and the topic was just ridiculous. This is why I love blogging because I am able to say on here everything that I wanted to scream at that stupid TV. And this way there are actually people who "hear" it. So they were talking about a new invention that will allow consumers to buy a DVD system that filters the DVDs that they watch. It is much like the TV Guardian system in that it will not show scenes or allow language that the consumer desires not to have in their home. They had two men talking about it, one from each side. On one side was an "artist" who was complaining that this technology is being used to censor his art and should not be allowed to be sold to the public, as it is in violation of the first ammendment. The other side, of course, was someone from the company wanting to sell the product claiming that it is just a way to allow consumers to choose what they want to watch. The "artist" had the nerve to say that this could end up with people deciding they don't want to watch movies with jewish people or black people in it and in his overdramatics made it seem like it was a threat to society. The Other said that he was simply being ridiculous, as i agreed, and that it was not any different than people choosing to skip scenes. It was simply a way to make it easy so they wouldn't have to take that time to skip them because they were simply not being shown. The "artist" also mentioned that the people at home didn't have to watch the movies at all and the answer is simply for them not to bother with it. So....This is what I wanted to scream at the TV. The "artist" is missing the big picture......he would make MORE money in the long run because, with this invention in production, more people would buy these movies. It seems like these days the "artists" go for the shock value! It is unfortunate for them because without those particular scenes or that language, their movies usually have a really good plot or story line. For instance, the Matrix. The first Matrix was clean and had a good story and I was rather surprised that I liked it. So I went to see the second one and was just utterly shocked. Right in the middle of the movie was this really long out of place sex scene. It made me not want to watch the series anymore and when the third one came out I didn't even bother! If I had the contraption they are debating about...I might have bought the second and third one which would result in more money for the "artist." So thus I am free from the thoughts that flooded my brain and I am thankful for the release of them. On a side not though, I would be interested to know if movies that don't have that unecessary material in them make more money?? So...there you go for what its worth!

The Old Goat

The Old Goat is faithful
And sometimes sweet
But mostly he's ornery
And needs to be beat!

He's hairy and grumpy
And usually stinks.
He flakes and he sheds
And so slow when he thinks.

He makes me laugh
Because he's so funny.
He has the ability
To make grey skies sunny.

Today he's a year older
and worse for the wear.
For this Old Goat
I really do care!

I wrote this for my dad's 61st birthday on Wednesday the 27th of April.

Balance

I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that life is all about balance. How well you can balance determines how well you will fair here on earth. I'm not saying that if you maneuver well on that solid gymnastic beam that you have it together. I'm talking about the good and the bad, work and family, reality and fiction, and such as these. If this blogging were a "Full House" episode, the dramatic lesson at the end of the "plight" would simply be that life is learning to have balance in all that it offers and in all that is crammed down your throat. It seems simple enough in my mind, but is so difficult to actually put into practice.