When Plans don't go as planned...

Several months ago, Kern and I had planned to enjoy a weekend in the mountains at Wintergreen, Virginia with my cousins Carolyn and David.  As multiple heat waves have passed through Washington this summer, I was getting more and more excited at the idea of wearing a long sleeved shirt in the evenings and relaxing in the shade on a hiking trail.  We took time off work on Friday and set out with hopes to beat the rush hour/weekend traffic traveling south.  As some people may know, Patty, my 1999 Honda Accord, has been battling terminal transmission problems.  But she's been fine.  I mean really...a Honda can go to 200K miles, right?  A few miles (35 to be exact) outside of Washington, on Lee Highway, Patty breathed her last breath...and...we were barely able to roll to the shoulder of the road.

As we waited (over 2 hours) for a tow truck to take us back into the city, I whipped out my paper and pen and did the only thing I knew to do that would keep me from crying--write.  As I sat there, I had plenty of time to ponder my situation and actually began to see the blessings in the events of the day.  Although our vacation was cancelled, my car was kapootz and it felt like we had wasted a vacation day, I had the distinct sense that God was involved and in charge in every aspect.

In reality, we all make plans that get changed through no direct power of our own.  It's not always a situation as radical as having your car's transmission fail on the highway, but it's often smaller scenarios that frustrate us just as much.  The way we practice handling the small situations determines how we will cope when something major goes awry.  

I'd like to share with you a few pointers on how to handle a situation that does not go as you planned.

1.  Don't panic.  Kern repeats these two words to me multiple times per week in situations ranging from cooking to painting citing that, "It never improves the situation."  I did not realize how dire the car situation was initially because Kern remained so calm as the transmission failed.  He changed the car into third gear and carefully guided us onto the shoulder.

2. Be thankful.  Initially I was so upset about my car that I did not take time to sit back and thank God for the obvious blessings that were in front of me!  For starters: no one was hurt, Kern was driving (not me), we were only going about 50mph when the car failed (not 70 or 80), and two very kind Virginia State Troopers stopped to help us.

Kern and his new Trooper buddy discussed everything from guns to football while I moped and took pictures of Patty.

 3. Recognize that God's plans are not always our plans. When I called Carolyn to tell her we would be unable to make the weekend trip, I was so sad.  However, I knew that it was the right (and obvious) decision and I had to accept that this was the reality.  Consider this excerpt from Jesus Calling:

"Understanding will never bring you Peace.  That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding.  Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to figure things out, in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives.  But the world presents you with an endless series of problems.  As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you.  The relief you had anticipated is short lived.  Soon your mind is searching for understanding (mastery) instead of seeking Me (your Master).

My peace is not an elusive goal, hidden at the center of some complicated maze.  Actually you are always enveloped in Peace, which is inherent in My Presence."

If I had my way, Patty would last another 5 years!

 4. Plan.  Don't let your emotions overwhelm you.  We called a tow truck.  We called Kern's dad for advice.  I called ahead to my service station in DC because I knew they would close before we got back into the city.  I made preparations for Patty to be housed overnight.

5.  Try to laugh.  We broke down next to Ted's Tack Shack.  Perfect--a place that sells saddles.  All I needed was a horse to get me back to DC!

Ted's: I didn't see any horses, but I'm sure they had lovely saddles!

6.  Recognize that is OK to be sad.  I felt silly for being so sad, but then I realized that I have driven Patty since high school and she has given me many wonderful memories.  Not to mention the thought of walking and taking the metro everywhere now..in the heat and cold...is enough to make any gal sad!

The story has an interesting ending.  I got a call the next morning from my mechanic.  He told me that the transmission (and one or two other things) were gone on the car and I could expect the repairs to cost about $3,200.  He then offered to buy Patty.  He said that his son was going to college and that it would not be as expensive for him to fix it (minus the cost of labor from that $3,200).  Kern and I walked to the service station with my car title and after a few minutes of haggling (you'll have to ask Kern how this went) we agreed upon a price.  I cleaned my remaining belongings out of Patty and said goodbye.

There are currently no plans to replace Patty.  That's why I have two good feet and a bike!

Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

They're Flying South!

We all suspected this day might come, but we hoped that it would not come so soon.  Bob and Meg were married in June and have been living in DC since then.  However, they are moving back to Georgia now so that Bob can attend law school.  All of our friends are so excited for both of them, but sad that we will not be able to see them as often as we are used to!

Laura and Katie planned a Sunday brunch to send them off in style at The Yard's Park on the waterfront.

Mini pancakes, syrup, chicken salad, cheese and fruit, mini cinnamon rolls on sticks

Mimosas...gorgeous flowers!

Kern, me, Meg and Bob

Dear friends: Me, Meg, Katie and Carolyn

Sunday brunch, Dahling!

Relaxing and enjoying the good food and good company!

This is my fault--had the camera on the wrong setting.  It was so cute I had to post it though!

Bob and Meg: we will miss you so much, but we all wish you the best!

The Power of Words

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

This verse is one of the first Psalms I remember memorizing.  It's short, sweet and to the point.  Just two actions (words/talking and meditations/thoughts) and one requirement--that they be pleasing in God's sight.  Simple enough, right?

As a child, I equated these actions to not gossiping and making sure that I said my prayers.  As an adult, I understand that these actions encompass much more (although I am still learning).  An excerpt from the August 3rd Jesus Calling:

"Watch your words diligently.  Words have such a great power to bless or to wound.  When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself.  This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image.  You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.

Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry..."

It's interesting to me that David (the author of Psalm 19) put words and thoughts in the same sentence.  It's not a secret that thoughts and words are nearly the same--one a manifestation of the other.  If our thoughts are full of negativity, then our words (and actions) will indicate that.  God does not expect us to go through life envisioning fields of flowers and skipping merrily to an imaginary tune when we are experiencing real pain and trials--or merely frustration with our circumstances.  When we do feel angry, sad, depressed or moody, instead of taking it out on other people or sulking, God offers a comforting ear to listen to our problems.  Prayer is not always the first activity I want to engage in when I feel frustrated, but I have found that when I do bring my worries and anxieties to the Jesus I come away feeling refreshed, filled and thankful that I have a God who cares enough about me to speak to my smallest fear and insecurity.  

So...back to the words.  Once I have spent time in prayer or reflecting on scripture, I am more ready to address other people (friends, family, co-workers, even strangers) with a more pleasant attitude.  It is a frightening and exciting realization when you understand that you have the power to build a person up or tear them down by the words that exit your mouth.  It is important to be intentional about the way we communicate with one another.

Who can you encourage today with your words?  Make it a point to genuinely compliment or uplift someone today through your conversation with him or her.

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 7:38

Quinoa and Vegetable Salad with Tahini Dressing

Sometimes it's just too hot to eat a meal from the oven!  The temperature has reach nearly 100 degrees every day for the last two weeks in DC, which has caused me to seek out cool, fresh dinners!

I found this recipe in the August issue of Real Simple and decided to try it.  I've never used beets in a dish before, so I was excited to try something different.  Plus, I had almost every other ingredient already on hand.

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1 cup frozen shelled edamame
1 bunch watercress (trimmed)
1 pound raw beets (2 medium) peeled and coarsely grated (I chopped mine into small pieces)
8 radishes thinly sliced

Dressing:
1/3 cup tahini
2 TBS fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp grated fresh ginger (I had organic powdered on hand and used that/probably should have only used 1tsp)
1tsp honey
1/2 tsp Sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:
1) Cook the quinoa and edamame according to the package directions and set aside to cool

2) In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, ginger, honey, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper

3) Divide the watercress, beets, radishes, edamame and quinoa among plates and drizzle with dressing

*Serves 4 people, but Kern and I had 2 large helpings and used it as dinner and not a side.  It was very filling!

I hope you can enjoy this fresh summer salad!

Deficit Reduction, Debt Ceiling and August

Well y'all...it's finally coming to an end.  The Senate will vote on Tuesday to pass the legislation (and send it to POTUS) that will end the phone calls from weeping grandmothers worried their social security will be cut off, perturbed Tea Party members and Americans who are fed up in general.  The calls won't end because they are no longer upset, but they will end because the August district work period or "Recess" as it is fondly called by all of Washington, will begin.  Members of Congress will return to their home districts and states and work from those offices.  In turn, the Washington staff will have time to regroup, reorganize and refresh.

Growing up, August meant "back to school" but as an adult, August means, "RECESS."

The press release below was issued by the Republican members of the Mississippi delegation.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, along with Congressmen Gregg  Harper, Alan Nunnelee and Steven Palazzo, all R-Miss, today announced that they support passage of compromise legislation that links significant federal spending cuts to an increase in the nation’s debt limit.

The House on Monday approved the bill on a 269-161 vote, and the Senate is expected to vote Tuesday.  The package mandates $917 billion in budget cuts over 10 years in exchange for increasing the debt limit by $900 billion.  It also sets the framework for an additional $1.5 trillion in savings over 10 years.

“I will vote for this legislation because it cuts spending and is necessary to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations.  I see this measure as a significant step forward in the long process of getting our fiscal house in order.  It locks in immediate spending cuts without increasing taxes, and will lead later this year to an up-or-down vote in Congress on more than a trillion dollars in additional savings and reforms.  Efforts to reduce spending, control debt and foster an economic environment that creates jobs will not end with this legislation,” Cochran said.

“The Budget Control Act makes real spending cuts and represents a change in direction for Washington,” said Wicker.  “The President wanted a blank check, but we succeeded in cutting Federal spending, preventing tax increases, and moving toward a Balanced Budget Amendment.  While not perfect, this legislation is an important step in the right direction.”

“The House of Representatives voted this evening to make a down payment on placing our fiscal house in order,” Harper said.

“The American people have had enough of empty promises and budget gimmicks.  That’s why from day one we have been fighting to change Washington’s broken political system.  While this agreement is not the ultimate solution to our spending-driven debt crisis, it offers a historic change in direction.  This legislation allows America to honor its financial obligations while giving us the framework to cut spending immediately, control future spending and put methods in place to hold Washington accountable,” said Nunnelee.

“House Republicans were sent to Washington on a mandate to hold President Obama’s feet to the fire on spending.  Never in history have spending cuts been enacted at this magnitude.  However, the battle over the budget will continue.  By taking control of the White House and the Senate in 2012, Republicans will be able to further reform government spending and save the American dream for future generations,” Palazzo said.

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