A Quiet Wood

A Quiet Wood

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Hot, Hot, Hot.

"Hey look, it's that Vernon girl."

"Wow, she's been gone for a really long time. She's even lost her tan."

"I know. Sad. I wonder what great excuse she'll give this time about being gone so long."

"Who knows, probably something lame, like she's been so busy."

"Ha! Lame."

"Yeah, lame." *snicker*


Greetings from the smoldering city of Cincinnati. Today my car thermometer registered 105 degrees. I know it really wasn't that hot, but it sounds impressive doesn't it? They say the heat index has been 100 degrees or more the last couple of days. (Whoever "they" are. "They" say a lot of things. Not sure if all of them are true.)

The last couple of weeks have been truly wild with the preparations for and arrival of the incoming freshmen at the old Hilltop. My days have been spent moving furniture, cleaning rooms, sweating uncontrollably, assigning rooms, matching up roommates, praying for grace, entering data into the school computer system for billing, giving pep talks, praying for grace, checking out forlorn faces, answering a myriad of questions, praying for grace, and...last but not least...watching God answer my prayers in a quiet and beautiful way.

It is an amazing thing to tap into the strength of our Heavenly Father; to go through impossible days and find out that it truly is possible to operate in His Spirit and maintain a rest of soul amidst the madness. And the learning continues. I hope this lesson lasts. Sometimes I seem to have to learn and relearn over and over again. *sigh*

One other really neat thing I've been doing is spending time with my buddy, Carson. Those of you who have been on this journey with me for a while have already been introduced. He is a pretty cool guy. I am hopelessly, helplessly smitten. I think he is amazing.


And one more for good measure. Here is complete relaxation - with a really proud grandpa!


OK, I'm done. Life is good. It's hot, but God and technology provide air conditioning. (I really like my air to be conditioned.) So, dear friends, stay cool, drink lots of water, and may your air always be conditioned...or fresh, as the case may be. Fresh is good too.

17 comments:

Kimberly said...

I'm starting to wonder if we need to assess these "little voices" that keep showin up on your postings:) Gotta love them, whoever they are:) glad you're staying prayed up..and trust things go well as school begins there. Really cute little guy..glad you have him to do some loving on!

Tara said...

Gotta say...I'm actually a BIG fan of the little voices. Does that indicate a worrisome condition on my part?! You are one of my most favoritest writers in whole wide world :)

And I *sigh* along with you at having to learn and re-learn the same stinking lessons over and over. I'm realizing, though, that I'm never gonna progress past some points until I have learned it once and for all. Ann(with an 'e') quoths that even though she makes many mistakes, you have to give it her that she doesn't usually make the same one twice. Ah, that I could be like our dear Anne of G.G.

Best wishes in the days ahead...even amidst the sweltering, scorching, bone-melting heat. And people think Florida's hot????? HA!

Josh said...

Hot it is indeed!!
As to the strength of our Father and the handsomeness of little Bean...well said!

Julia said...

Glad you've got a little man to provide you some stress free down time. (babies that belong to your dear friends are great for that)

I think the conditioned air produces the "little voices".

Making Memories 1999 said...

I, too, enjoy your writings!! (Those little voices add character!!) AMEN on the air being conditioned!! Hope you can enjoy some "less hectic" days soon!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and saying HI!

The Lazy Philosopher said...

Hey, hot is when it's 110 in the shade. It's hot here!
~
I heard about some of the excitement of Freshmen week in the girls' dorm. I just want to say that no one ever threw a welcome like that for me!
:o)

Kimberly said...

Is there some significance to the phrases "hot, hot, hot" and "that Vernon girl" being in such close proximity?

Anonymous said...

Absolutely.

Sarah Cook said...

Hey, it is dreadfully hot here... and, I, being the reasonable woman that I am, went for a walk to the dollar store today with my two little ones in a double stroller (at least 50-60 lbs to push)... me, being about 5 months pregnant, thought perhaps I was going insane... I actually survived and didn't dehydrate and go into labor early (as my family often worries about since I have this thing for walking in extreme heat.) I love my 70% off sales at the dollar stores, but maybe I need to consider riding in a vehicle! Actually, our poor exhausted vehicle half the time doesn't even have AC. I do love my air conditioned as well. Stay cool! Love ya, friend!

Cindy said...

Hey!
Enjoyed your post, as always. Sorry to learn that you're hearing voices...have you been taking your meds? Snicker...JK! Your little friend has also lost her "tan," what little there was of it :)

Girl, keep on praying for grace. Remember, He gives grace for each moment...hmmm, sounds like the name of a song :)
'K, brace yourself. I'm coming to visit next week! My reservations have been made, my bags are packed. That was a lie. My bags aren't packed. But I am coming over Tuesday evening, staying through Wednesday evening. Looking forward to seeing you guys!
Stay sane, get some rest.
Love you!

Anita Marie said...

I always enjoy reading your post. This time you are making me feel very grateful for living in Southern England. It's 70 degrees today and perfect. The mild English climate is very becoming. God keeps trying to send messages via myself to your brother to do a UK Concert Tour. :) Maybe a nudge or encouraging word from his dear beloved Sis would just confirm it all in his mind and heart. :)

Marty said...

Oh Sonja, I love "listening" to you! You have such a Vernon trait...we one speaks, we all listen! I love it! I know the Lord is giving you grace to survive this busy time...it comes thru in your writings! Love ya bunches!!

cheriepasbjerg said...

Can't wait for fall! It also brings me out of the heat with the enormous belly, and means the closer I am to meeting the little guy! I see Carson he is really cute. 14 more weeks till my little buddy comes---oh hurry!

kayla said...

Let me just say that I totally agree on the air being fresh. That may be the most important. Ethan was in the living room gagging and wretching yesterday morning, when I asked him what was wrong he said "I think it was the smell of my own flatus". This leads me to the conclusion that even here in FL where the air is conditioned most all the time, if it is not fresh it can lead to many other issues for those with more sensitive noses.

Anonymous said...

OK, Kayla, I officially love your kids. I laughed out loud and quickly called everyone nearby to the computer to read your comment. Thanks for the laugh. You're cool.

To the rest of you who commented, you are extremely cool as well. Anyone who comments on my ramblings immediately enters the "cool" category in my book. :) Thanks.

Tara said...

KAYLA: HA! LOL! What a great story! Thanks for sharing; you know, if our kids had any clue how we shamelessly use them for passing along humor to our friends, they would be so bitter. At least I know mine would! :)

Liz said...

Kayla, Kayla....that was hilarious! You KNOW I laughed out loud...ha! enjoyed the post Sonya!