The Complacency of Fools

Well, I'm sure you have the gist of things in my life: getting ready for Japan (I almost wrote Mexico!) ha. Japan!

It's about 3 weeks to go, and I still have things to figure out... OH! I just realized-- I need to get my tetanus shot. See-- things like that! There are millions of them that pop up in my head and disappear and then reappear in a few days.

So, you get the gist. But I wanted to blog about something that I've been thinking about lately.

Proverbs continually talks about learning from wisdom and getting guidance. Now, I have been very unwise [read: foolish] at many times in my life, and could definitely use some wisdom and guidance so that I don't fall into the same mistakes and can AVOID other ones.

1:32 says, "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them"

The last part of that verse is particularly what has struck me-- the complacency of fools will destroy them.

It seems like complacency/apathy is a big issue to be dealt with in the States. I hear it a lot from people talking about themselves, about "in general", and from my own personal observation.

Complacency can kill us. Ok, maybe we know that. But what about being called a fool? Ouch. Isn't it true though? Fools are complacent. Fools don't care. Fools are lazy, and often misinformed (or negligent of the real information readily available to them).

Anyway. That verse struck me particularly as I've been thinking about the way I hear the Word.

When I sit down and watch tv, I listen, I pay attention... sometimes, many times, I do other things while watching tv. I laugh. I look up at the serious parts. Suspenseful parts make me tense up and hold my breath.

And then, the show is over. I turn the tv off, get up and go. The show hasn't changed my life. I may have learned a fact I didn't know before, but I'd say 99% of the time, I haven't learned anything that would really change my life or the way that I go about my life.

I'm the same.

Sometimes I feel that way about when I hear a message. I sit back, I listen... oh wow. Oh, that's good. Funny story. Ok, show's over. Get up. Leave.

I've let the relaxed, complacent, apathetic way of watching tv translate into the way that I approach other things in my life.

NO! The Word of God is not like a tv show or a theater production. It has more weight! It has value: "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-" (Pr. 1:2-4) It is LIFE... not a production on stage to entertain me.

So, I've been challenging myself to really think on... meditate on... listen to the message, and to make sure that that changes the way I go about my life- and the way that I see things.

I think it's really sad when I can't remember what I heard spoke about on Sunday... when I can't name ONE thing I got out of a particular study.

It's a sign that whatever that particular thing was wasn't THAT important to me.

I'm not saying that I need to memorize the messages or constantly remember what exact thing I got out of what particular message... but I DO want to make sure that I am actively seeking wisdom and guidance out of the Scriptures, and finding something that God is speaking to me out of everything given in a message or passage.

I don't want to read the Word or go to church like I watch tv. I want to be purposeful about going to church and reading the Word!

I don't want to be destroyed by complacency and let laziness and lack of discipline destroy the things God has planned for me.

It's all part of that pursuit that I was talking about. Laziness... apathy... will not get use nearer to the heart of God.

Anyway, I challenge you now! This wasn't just an entertaining blog entry, but did you read it that way? Skimming, "oh that's nice" kinda paying attention... maybe? Ok, not? :) Have you been "watching tv" at church-- not really letting anything sink in... just sitting back relaxed and lazed (if that's a word), like you do on your couch?

Let's pursue God and His heart. Let's draw near to God and have His Word planted in our hearts. Let's meditate it and turn it over in the soil of our hearts so that it will produce fruit in our lives!

___________________

I'm not talking about a "do it yourself"- "work at it" type of approach. The Holy Spirit is the One who will give us insight, open the Scriptures to us, and produce fruit in our lives.

However, if we don't make it a point to prioritize and make it a point the importance of the Word in our life, then we're not giving God an opportunity to work in us, are we?

When we show that we are purposeful, desirous, hungry for learning from God and letting Him work these things into us-- amazing things will happen.

It's not about us working or doing chores. It's about pursuing God and not being a casual/complacent reader/listener. It's the difference between being a spectator and a participator.

Honestly, it's the difference between destruction and life-construction.

Jam Packed Session

So, I have a lot to write about today. I've been meaning to cross this whole blog thing off my to-do list for about a week, but it just keeps getting transferred to the next post-it note. Today it will be crossed off.

Last week I had a doozy of a cold... it was pretty nasty, and at least one night, I slept with a roll of toilet paper in my bed and the trash can next to it. Thankfully, it is gone for me-- but I have successfully passed it on the the remaining members of my family.

In other news... I bought my tickets for Japan! I leave on March 16. It has yet to actually like, be real to me. It's still something that I've been working toward, hoping for, waiting for. But, even since I took the step of faith and bought tickets, more supporters have decided to join the team, which makes me excited... and breathe easier.

So, for quite some time, I've been looking for a book bag. The shoulder straps on my old one were starting to come off. And while it's a good book bag, once the straps start to come unsewn from the seam, it's pretty much a lost cause. So, I've been on the lookout-- but at the same time, not really looking. It was on the list of "you should probably take care of this before you go" things.

The other day, I went by Wal-Mart for some things I needed. I browsed down the book bag aisle while I was at it. Cheap, chinzy ones. If I am going to spend money, I always make sure it's the best combination of value and quality and PRICE that you can get. So, no.

As I continued walking casually around the store, I went down the electronics aisle, to look at laptop covers, which I already have because I (with most of the help from Donna's sewing prowess) made, for way cheaper than they would charge. There were also some bookbags, and one caught my eye. It was the only one of it's kind. It had a really nice compartment for all things electronic. It had a straight compartment for things "manila envelope", and a great compartment for actual travel needs. Imagine that.

It was an HP bag, and it was $30. Rrrrrreally? I thought. I yanked on the straps, while examining the seams... felt all the padding around the bag, and otherwise did my own inspection.

So, I bought it.

I always get buyer's remorse, even if it's a good deal and something I need/want. But, I said to myself, you can always bring it back, if you decide it's not good.

The next day, I ran to Wal-Mart (a different one) with my mom and brother, and I was in the electronic dept. again, wandering around. And lo and behold-- my book bag. For $49.96. I was actually overjoyed! I was like, that sounds more like it, but I paid $30! Even now, I just looked it up online and it's $37.88. So, I stopped feeling bad and started feeling blessed that I have a quality book bag that I did actually need, and I got it for an unbelievable price.

Another thing checked off the list! There are still a lot more things to be taken off my list, and I don't believe there are enough hours in the day. Tomorrow is a day off work though (and I just put in my two-weeks at work, so I can get things accomplished and spend time with my family during my last couple of weeks) and I hope I can get some things accomplished, though there is some scheduled fun in there.

There may or may not be many blogs in the coming weeks, but you can count on some fun blogs when I get to Japan!

Tomorrow is my Friday!!

How was work today?, you might ask. I would answer: I sang, I danced, I taught Spanish. It has been an interesting few days, thankfully with enough work to fill them... since they cut hours. Last week, we had plenty of hours, but not much to do. At any rate, the last few days have found me to be a little... quirky.

Enough of work though. Here's where I am so far on support: $140 of the $500 needed, which makes it $360 still to go. I am believing that God will make it happen and am moving forward with plans to go.

On a side note: Rosetta Stone is working again! After some 2 months or so of frustration, I have AT LONG LAST got it going again, after the second call to the support center. Tears of relief flooded my face.

Perhaps that's an exaggeration. Maybe.

Anywho, as I look forward to moving to Japan, I realize there is just SO much that still has to be done. Though I miss the extra hours on my paycheck, I really do need the time at home. There are lots of things to be done before one moves! You don't just pack a suitcase with all your clothes and shoes and a coupla books for the flight; you pack your important paperwork (think: birth certificate, passport, banking stuff, accounting stuff, medical records) and the laptop and all necessary cables (the gran "etc.") and clothes for all seasons, and Japanese language study books.

You start writing the list of what you would need and those suitcases get pounds and pounds heavier.

Good thing I have big suitcases.

Anyhow-- I'm also looking for tickets and now you'll see the cheap, cheap side of me come out. Gotta shop around!

Around, mumbling now, and one of the kids from Mexico needs to chat, so I'm gonna focus on that.

Thanks for your prayers! Let's keep believing that God will provide!

In the Fogggggg....

How you been enjoying this Altotongan fog? I think it should be over by now, but still, I heard this morning people complaining about having the fog and being ready to be over with it. I was like, wow! Move down to Altotonga! :)

It is a bit eerie. I did notice that when I drove down my street- and you can see the river at the end of my street, and I looked across and it looked like a black abyss. That was a bit weird. When I drove on 70 through downtown, I couldn't even see the arch! And at 70, you're so near the Arch!

Anyway, I think everyone knows where I stand with Japan. I've tried to be as communicative as I know how to get the vision out there. I am excited! I can't wait to get over there and I think of that in the morning, through the morning, and onto the evening. Today it occurred to me that soon I'll be buying tickets. Like within a few weeks.

I've also been re-reading Bruchko. Have you read it? If not- get it! It won't take you long, I promise. But it's adventurous, down-to-earth, exciting. And inspirational! Anyhow, in many, many cases, God provided miraculously at JUST the right time. I pray and expect that it will be the same way with Japan. As Bruce Olson (the author) at times looked at something as impossible, it would all of a sudden happen.

There have been many, many words of encouragement and I know so many are praying. I'm very thankful for this, and am interested to watch in the next couple of weeks to see what will happen.

Alright, it's getting toward my night time, early evening for you normal folk- but late night for me. So, I need to get ready for my last work day of the week.

Thank you for your prayers and support and feel free to leave comments on here! I like comments. :)

Mochi Mochi (yum...)

Hey! As you already know, yesterday was Friday, and I was so. very. thankful. for that glorious day. It was an extra long work week, with the below mentioned scandalous happenings at our store.

Oh my.

Anyhow, I came home (after a few commitments) and slept for 13 hours. I needed it!

Yesterday, if you'll recall- was some fog like we see few times in St. Louis. THAT, my friends, is what Altotonga was like. Where you get all misty wet, it soaks into your bones and chills you, and you can't see above a half-block.

After work, I went to a friend's house, where she very graciously helped me fold my newsletters, return address them, stamp them and stuff them. I guess I did that in the wrong order, but I'm pretty sure you get the point. It was nice, as we then discussed our opinions on the whole Pat Robertson comment about Haiti, giving/tithes, and the word "Christian".

Last night, I went to dinner at another friend's house-- I had been looking forward to this get-together all week. I got to meet his wife and kids- who are adults, and actually older than me. But- he was the one who originally connected me with Tim and Christine Huber in Japan. They went over to Japan to teach English for a year, and of course, to minister to the Japanese. It was pretty cool to sit there and talk about what it's like to live in Japan, their [Japanese] ideas on things, different inventions that we don't have here... all kinds of things. Overall- it was most enjoyable.

Today, I took my dad and brother to the Olive Farmers Market. Mostly, it's an Asian market, though they do have a Hispanic foods aisle. I picked up some "mochi" for a young adults meeting that I'll be sharing at on Tuesday. We went up and down every aisle, and had a lot of fun getting out of our typical American routines... then we came back home and my dad watched football.

As an update to where I stand financially for being able to go to Japan in March-- I've received $90 new committed monthly support-- so, I still am about $410 off the mark. But considering that this has come up this week, I am encouraged by this! Keep praying with me!!

Alrighty, I'm gonna get on outta here, get some stuff done and get some rest since tomorrow will also be busy and I have another very full work week. :)

My brother is already making plans for my room... again.

SOOOOOOOOOO. There's a lot going on in my life, which includes praying. I'll get to that in a minute.

As most of you know, the Macy's that I work at announced its liquidation last week. The latest that we'll be open is the first week of March, though I'm predicting a shorter time to stay open. We'll see.

I actually like my job. I really do. But I'm not really concerned about the store closing, because I was planning on quitting in March anyway, if it didn't close. Now, I just don't have to quit, and with all the stuff going on at the store, I have plenty of hours, which I need.

BUT. But we have this consultant in from the liquidation company. Suffice it to say, she's not a pleasant person. She may be the "quitting factor" of half the people at my store BEFORE D-day. ONE lady came in and turned our pleasant work space upside down.

Interesting how that can happen. But as it is, it pulls that deep attitude out of me of-- Just watch, I'm going to go ABOVE and beyond what you're asking me to do, just because you're provoking me.

Anyway, just to let you know, I'm $460 (monthly support) away from my goal of being able to leave for Japan. My goal date for that commitment is at the end of January... Please pray with me!

I need to get. My bed time was 15 minutes ago.

PS. Michael, my little tall (he would here add: dark and handsome) brother, adds his plumsplotch right here: >>>>>(bloop)<<<<<<

This Is What I'll Be Doing!

Watch it, enjoy it, pray about it! :D

あけましておめでとう。 Happy New Year!