A Life Not Wasted, or, Living my Dream Job

Another day stuck at home watching TV. I just watched a new show where people try out their dream jobs for a week. This makes me think. What do I want out of life? What am I doing to acheive that? Well, I guess what I most want is as much variety as I can get. I so enjoy the jack-of-all-trades, been there, done that type of life, and the stories that come from it. So I have volunteered doing all sorts of odd, wacky, and sometimes even scary things for my church, and for the community, and for individuals. I had a steady day job that I enjoyed for 4 or 5 years, and then I decided to venture into the world of business for myself. I wanted to be my own boss, and set my own hours; so I became a dog walker. I made a mere pittance, but what I lacked in expendable cash, I more than made up for in fun and in the love of friends and family-and a few big dogs! I became known in the neighborhood, and I regularly saw and chatted with other people out for a walk with their dog. I got to go out for walks and see the leaves change color, and watch the kids play in the schoolyard. Now I only walk my own dog, but I still see and chat with those friends I made. What I have always been, and am more so now, is a companion and a traveling partner to my husband through the road of life. His job takes him to more than a few trade shows, and he takes me-the best one being a trade show in San Francisco that happened to be on my birthday, so on that day, while he was dutifully checking out all the latest and greatest in audio/visual gadgetry, I walked across the Goden Gate Bridge, rode a bike through Golden Gate Park, rowed a boat in the park, and then crossed town to Coit Tower for an amazing view of the city. Besides job-related travel, we do a lot of friend-and-family related travel. Wev'e been to Oregon, Florida, and Hawaii to see friends, and to Norther California, Texas, and Virginia to see family. This would be a dream job-traveling with someone I love to see people I love. But I get paid in time spent with loved ones, and in memories-and that's fine with me.
I see my job as just being the best I can be at whatever I am, and right now that is a daughter, a wife, a sister, aunt, friend, neighbor, a Christian and a blog writer.

Funny me, my friends and my funny friends

Have you seen that one person who automatically stood up in church during the closing song while everyone else was sitting? That was me Sunday. I thought we always stood up to sing. When I realized no one else was standing or had any intention to do so, I sat down with a red face and my tail between my legs. The nice guys sitting behind me clapped me on the shoulder, as if to say, "Don't worry, little one, wev'e all been there."
If youv'e been following my blogging, you know I made a Chinese New Year resolution. I resolved to be a better friend. I believe that no one is an island, and especially not within the Body of Christ. That's why God gave us all the "one anothers"-love one another, pray for one another, be kind, listen, be hospitable, be honest, give wise counsel, share your material and spiritual goods and gifts, edify, the list goes on and on. I've bought a book on Biblical friendships to stimulate my thinking and action in this area, but I've been trying to practice and apply these Biblical principles in my life since submitting my life to the Lord God of heaven and earth.
I make myself available to the newly married young neighbor, knowing the initial shock of being so young and married and in a new place, feeling totally alienated from your old life and friends, I do what I can to make some good friends living on an isolated island away from friends and family feel not so isolated, I seek to to encourage those who are sick, and I listen and commisserate with my friend over the hardships of scrapbooking and getting pictures printed in the right size and format. I also enjoy making my friends laugh at my ridiculous self, who stands up in church as everyone else is sitting.

Journeys and Destinations

I absolutely love road trips. I'll take suburbs and cities and countryside rolling past me before sitting down in front of the TV watching moving pictures anyday. Never mind the destination (although it is often a great one-the beach, a wonderful rock formation, a visit with people I love), I just enjoy the journey. I love it. I could be a car passenger every day and not get bored.
I was watching a show last night about someone else's journey-it was documenting the sojourns of an actor in a foreign country. He called it his journey of a lifetime. I believe the journey lies within the lifetime. To quote a fellow Angeleno, "Every day is a winding road." I'd say my entire life is one big road trip, the destination being eternity. Your exact destination may be different than mine. There are a few factors that determine that, one being whether you will put your faith in Christ to save you. It is my sincere hope that your final destination will be as marvelous as I have every reason to expect mine to be, and also that you enjoy every moment of the journey.

It's the little things

I'm back from two weeks in Maui. It was relaxing and refreshing, since I took along a good book about prayer, a collection of Puritan prayers, our Daily Bible, and my journal. So my spirit came home as rejuvenated as my body. The two weeks flew by. My husband and I spent time reading, a lot of time eating, an extensive amount of time in the car, we flew to Oahu to see some dear friends, and meanwhile, we were making a DVD of it all. So it was a good two weeks. But it is SO NICE to be home. The things we missed most were pretty silly in the great scheme of things, but we really missed our car. To our shame, we also missed our DVR-having our shows available to us on our schedule, and without commercials. One thing I definately don't miss at all is $16 cheeseburgers, and creepy men calling my room asking if they can buy me a diamond ring or necklace.