mish mosh

Some very random thoughts: An electric blanket makes everything better...

Did you know that in the Listerine commercials, the actors don't really have anything in their mouths? They make all those swirling, swishing, and gargling motions with nothing but air. Hmph.

Remember my disdain of moths? Yeah, me too. Tonight I had a tiny bit of lemonade left after dinner, which I set on my bedside table to help my melatonin go down at bedtime. A little bit ago I started to hear splashing. Confused, I looked around my room. THIS is what I found:

Demon moth.

It's hard for me to not feel guilty that I'm not doing much (work-wise) and my husband is back in South Africa hard at work. He deserves a break more than I do, and yet here I am... the one on vacation. Sorry, Hombre. I love you!

just one

I just read someone's mission trip follow-up letter. You know the one that's sent to supporters after the fact to reiterate appreciation and to share how much the trip impacted them? That kind of letter. The letter I read was sent to supporters over five years ago.

It was written by someone who was dramatically changed by God on the mission field. This was clearly evident in the letter she sent out after she got home. It's also very easy to see in her life even now, so many years later. Going on a mission trip has that effect. I know that very well.

But reading this letter caused my eyes to fill with tears. It is an amazing thing to see how far someone has come. It is a breathtaking moment when you get a glimpse of the miraculous work of God in someone's life.

But mostly I was moved because all those years ago, the trip she went on was to South Africa, to serve with our ministry. To see firsthand a destiny that was transformed by us---both directly and indirectly---is a humbling thing. To think of the other futures that will also be affected through the ripple eeffect of her life causes a lump to form in my throat.

This girl went on to become an intern at Thrive. And then a friend.

So to get this glimpse back to her first experience with us, so very long ago, was pretty incredible. And more than enough motivation to keep doing what I'm doing.

irrational airport thoughts

I have irrational thoughts when I'm in an airport. I usually have the feeling that I'm going to see someone I know, even when I'm just on a layover. I glance around as we race through terminals, stand in line for Starbucks (mmmm...), or keep ourselves occupied as we wait in the uncomfortable chairs at the gate. I've never actually run into someone I know in an airport (unexpectedly, I mean), so I don't understand why I feel compelled to look around as though I might.

And then there's the strange sensation that overcomes me when I am being picked up by someone I know. When I don't instantly see them at baggage claim, I grab my bags and stand in a good-visibility spot. As the minutes pass by, my mouth gets dryer as I'm overwhelmed with the sense that I may not remember what they look like. They may have changed so much or my memory may be so faded that I won't even recognize them.

Yeah, irrational.

I had that crazy sensation when I landed in Milwaukee the other day. The moment I saw my friend---of course I recognized her instantly---but the moment I saw her, I had to shake my head at myself for even thinking I might not have been able to spot her.

Especially when she's been forever imprinted on my heart.

happiness under where?

I bought some new underwear the other day. I intentionally flew to America with my oldest, holiest (?) pairs so that I could ditch them when I bought new ones. So I left a pile of old (but clean!) skivvies in my friend's garbage pail last week. I intentionally bought one solitary pair of hot pink undies among my pile of white, black, and nude (which, in my opinion, is a horrible color name). Now you need to understand that I don't really like pink. I've never been a very girly girl and have always refrained from wearing all things pink. When Niel saw my assorted collection of new undergarments, he raised his eyebrow and asked what was up with the one pink pair.

"I figured I could wear these on a day when I need unexpected happiness," was my reply. He raised his eyebrow some more, so I explained further that the hot pinkness is so bright and surprising, it's bound to make me smile throughout the day. And I figured that might come in handy sometimes. "Ohhhh..." was about all he could muster in response. It seems that some things only make sense inside my brain.

I wore my happiness underwear the other day. While I was quite amused when I first put them on, I quickly forgot about them. The first time I used the bathroom a few hours later, though, I started to laugh when I was reminded of what I was wearing.

See... They work!

What makes you unexpectedly happy?

flotsam and jetsam

The past two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind. I've missed being online, blogging, and responding to emails. (Sorry I've been AWOL!) Here's a quick recap for you... Between back-to-back meetings in Denver we managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Red Rocks.

We enjoyed some sunshine in California, and got to spend a day with one of our former interns.

We then headed to Seattle for a bit, where we spent an evening with Sydney & Co. and met Nadine. We arrived back in New York on Saturday night, and the very next day took the train downtown with my brother...

to eat at my favorite Italian restaurant...

and watch the Yankees sadly get beaten by the Mets. (Even though we lost miserably, I'm glad to have made it to a game during the final season at their stadium.)

And who can resist a baseball-game hot dog?

(Which of course isn't helping me at all with my fat arse...)

Niel and I visited a kennel (I'm not really sure what to call it actually...) where we could see and pet a bunch of different breeds of puppies. The discussion continues... but we're much, much closer!

In less than 24 hours, Niel will be on his way back to South Africa and I will be in Wisconsin. Pray for us!