Back to the real world...
So the break is over and I"m back in Dallas and the daily grind begins again tomorrow around 7:30 in the morning. I"m definitely not ready. I guess that's part of the problem with having 2 weeks off from school. Just 4 more weeks left.
I made some observations from when I was in Tuscaloosa. On Sunday I hung out with the 20/30 group and help with the decorations for their float in the Christmas parade. It was nice to do a mindless task and have good conversation with people. I basically spent the whole day at the church with an hour break to meet a friend for coffee. Then I went back and watched the kids sing and then went to prayer and praise and then to Relate PM. Here are just a couple of things I noticed having spent extended amounts of time in the 20/30 department and the college department. While in the college people that I knew made a point to introduce me to the people that came up to them or they were around. Also the main leader made a point to talk to me. Also some of the college kids that had never seen me before introduced themselves to me b/c they thought I was new. Over in the 20/30 I was told people's names but not introduced to but one person and that was b/c we were working in a group. Also even though I hung out with them for several hours no one introduced themself to me, nor did the main leaders say anything to me while I was there. Just some observations.
So Thanksgiving was a little weird and different but not bad at all. I did go and visit my grandmother in the nursing home and you know, I really don't want to get so old that I lose my mind and touch with reality. She had no idea who I was at first and then said she thought she'd never forget who I was. It was sad but I'm glad that I went. I had a good talk with my mom after and found out the my grandmother is a believer and I got to look through some of her Bibles and see what she highlighted and notes that she made. My mom had to work alot while I was there so I didn't get to spend as much time with her as usual. I did get to have dinner with Betsy and Andre' (at different times) and each one was fantastic. So on Wednesday my step-sister and her boyfriend got to the house. They are engaged but my step-father didn't know so she was supposed to tell them. I was working on a paper when they got there but I could hear my mom talking to them and she asked the bf if he was going to ask permission and she was like why it's going to happen I don't care if he says no. I was really surprised b/c she's quite a daddy's girl. And he was like no I'm not. So she didn't tell my step-father until the next day. I don't want to be mean, but they are the kind of couple that you don't want to be around, I mean all over each other. It was like they were fused together. And he was so hard to engage in conversation and the only person he talked to was my step-sister. I mean, he didn't ask anyone anything or try to get to know anyone.
On Thanksgiving day my step-father's sister and her husband came over as well as her daughter, son in law and their 4 girls (ages 4-10). I spent some time with the adults but most of the time was spent outside with the girls. They are so much fun!!! I almost wish I lived in the B'ham area so I could spend more time with them. I love kids!!! And apparently I'm going to make a great mother one day as I told by a few people. It was a compliment I guess, but I kind of wished I hadn't heard it. Okay, here's where I'll be quite open and honest. When I spend time with my family it makes me wish that I was married and had a family of my own. I just feel like I don't belong in my family sometimes and it's not completely b/c I"m the only believer, but that does have a large part to do with it. It's like we all have these different lives that we're not involved in or a part of. It's like there's just something missing. And the fact that I can't really share my heart with them is hard. It's a battle that I have. Do I share my heart and them not understand and get the look of "oh here she goes again with that Bible and religion stuff" and it's like I get no respect and am not taken seriously or not share and keep things somewhat superficial. Really it's a catch 22 b/c neither one is great. I did receive some comfort from Mark 6 1-6 where Jesus is teaching in Nazareth and He says "A prophet is not without honor except in His home town and among His own relatives and in His own household." Granted I am no prophet, I"m not Jesus, I wasn't healing anyone, but the things that I did share that were of depth were received so differently had I been talking to a brother or sister in Christ. It's a different kind of thing to show/be Christ to your family b/c there's so much history there and I think family has the hardest time accepting change in someone and honestly I get really discouraged.
But I didn't have a bad break at all. I enjoyed it and it was great to get away from Dallas and be out in the country for a while and escape life for a bit. And I had a good time with my family. I think I got out of it what I needed.
I have a bit more I could write but if I make this too much longer, no one will read it, not that I think I have a huge audience that does.
Okay it's off to do some reading.
Peace out!!
I made some observations from when I was in Tuscaloosa. On Sunday I hung out with the 20/30 group and help with the decorations for their float in the Christmas parade. It was nice to do a mindless task and have good conversation with people. I basically spent the whole day at the church with an hour break to meet a friend for coffee. Then I went back and watched the kids sing and then went to prayer and praise and then to Relate PM. Here are just a couple of things I noticed having spent extended amounts of time in the 20/30 department and the college department. While in the college people that I knew made a point to introduce me to the people that came up to them or they were around. Also the main leader made a point to talk to me. Also some of the college kids that had never seen me before introduced themselves to me b/c they thought I was new. Over in the 20/30 I was told people's names but not introduced to but one person and that was b/c we were working in a group. Also even though I hung out with them for several hours no one introduced themself to me, nor did the main leaders say anything to me while I was there. Just some observations.
So Thanksgiving was a little weird and different but not bad at all. I did go and visit my grandmother in the nursing home and you know, I really don't want to get so old that I lose my mind and touch with reality. She had no idea who I was at first and then said she thought she'd never forget who I was. It was sad but I'm glad that I went. I had a good talk with my mom after and found out the my grandmother is a believer and I got to look through some of her Bibles and see what she highlighted and notes that she made. My mom had to work alot while I was there so I didn't get to spend as much time with her as usual. I did get to have dinner with Betsy and Andre' (at different times) and each one was fantastic. So on Wednesday my step-sister and her boyfriend got to the house. They are engaged but my step-father didn't know so she was supposed to tell them. I was working on a paper when they got there but I could hear my mom talking to them and she asked the bf if he was going to ask permission and she was like why it's going to happen I don't care if he says no. I was really surprised b/c she's quite a daddy's girl. And he was like no I'm not. So she didn't tell my step-father until the next day. I don't want to be mean, but they are the kind of couple that you don't want to be around, I mean all over each other. It was like they were fused together. And he was so hard to engage in conversation and the only person he talked to was my step-sister. I mean, he didn't ask anyone anything or try to get to know anyone.
On Thanksgiving day my step-father's sister and her husband came over as well as her daughter, son in law and their 4 girls (ages 4-10). I spent some time with the adults but most of the time was spent outside with the girls. They are so much fun!!! I almost wish I lived in the B'ham area so I could spend more time with them. I love kids!!! And apparently I'm going to make a great mother one day as I told by a few people. It was a compliment I guess, but I kind of wished I hadn't heard it. Okay, here's where I'll be quite open and honest. When I spend time with my family it makes me wish that I was married and had a family of my own. I just feel like I don't belong in my family sometimes and it's not completely b/c I"m the only believer, but that does have a large part to do with it. It's like we all have these different lives that we're not involved in or a part of. It's like there's just something missing. And the fact that I can't really share my heart with them is hard. It's a battle that I have. Do I share my heart and them not understand and get the look of "oh here she goes again with that Bible and religion stuff" and it's like I get no respect and am not taken seriously or not share and keep things somewhat superficial. Really it's a catch 22 b/c neither one is great. I did receive some comfort from Mark 6 1-6 where Jesus is teaching in Nazareth and He says "A prophet is not without honor except in His home town and among His own relatives and in His own household." Granted I am no prophet, I"m not Jesus, I wasn't healing anyone, but the things that I did share that were of depth were received so differently had I been talking to a brother or sister in Christ. It's a different kind of thing to show/be Christ to your family b/c there's so much history there and I think family has the hardest time accepting change in someone and honestly I get really discouraged.
But I didn't have a bad break at all. I enjoyed it and it was great to get away from Dallas and be out in the country for a while and escape life for a bit. And I had a good time with my family. I think I got out of it what I needed.
I have a bit more I could write but if I make this too much longer, no one will read it, not that I think I have a huge audience that does.
Okay it's off to do some reading.
Peace out!!