Iron Pigs a big mess

Last night I had tickets to the Iron Pigs game. I took Erin and Caleb and had an extra ticket, so Janelle and McKenna came along as well. We got there with what we thought was plenty of time, but due to the rain the night before the cancelled game was being played as well so they started at six and we were nearly an hour late. No worries, we were going to have fun anyway. After parking in Somalia and walking up the hill with my pregnant sister and two year old niece, being passed by shuttle carts with smirking twenty something men who clearly don't know what chivalry means, we approached the gate. After getting in we started the maze of people dodging that left one of McKenna's shoes somewhere behind us and we may never have retrieved it were it not for the kindness of a stranger. After a scolding from my sister for not knowing a shoe fell off someone else's body, and finding out Erin had stepped over it thinking it was some strangers, we got to our seats with everyone's personal effects intact.

Now began the process of getting people dinner. I was responsible for Erin and Caleb and so I divided and conquered. Well, I divided anyway. Erin wanted corn, we got corn, she wanted soda, we got soda. Sent her down, she sent Caleb up. Caleb wanted pizza and soda. Then I walked him down to the seat and went and bought my own dinner. Let me tell you, the corn is so good. I know, there are cheese steaks, and burgers, and whatever else. But corn, and pork kabobs, yum!

So, I go down, eat my food, and Caleb says he is still hungry, not a surprise, I had been warned.
So, I said please let me finish this mess and then we will go. Luckily my sister has insane amounts of baby wipes and I could clean my hands. I picked two of the messiest things of course. So, Caleb wanted corn and Erin wanted pizza. I was glad to get it for them, but I came to realize the scene in A Christmas Story where the Mom gets up to get food for people after they each wait for her to sit down isn't so far from real life.

First game ends and Erin has to use the bathroom. So, we go, and we got ice. I got one, she got one, and I got Caleb cotton candy. I know, I'm poisoning them!
I know prices are steep at ballparks, but after I left with my ice, I had the realization and it just came out of my mouth, "I just spent 3.50 on ice." Erin heard me and without much time to think says, "Maybe its the economy." I laughed and said, yeah I think it is. She's hilarious. Well, we had a good time and ate things that shouldn't be legal. Caleb turned into a sugar tornado that was not to be reckoned with. I felt my leg getting wet and heard fizzing. Soda was spewing and when I looked he had finally gotten the cap on. I asked if he shook his soda and he said yes. I asked why and of course there was no answer. Between that and the cotton candy all over his face he needed to be hosed off, but baby wipe to the rescue, we survived.

McKenna of course, was a form of entertainment, getting excited for Fefe and Ferrous, clapping with a fry in one hand and a bit of chicken in the next. She enjoyed the ice she shared with Janelle as well. We all love sugar!

Another trip to the bathroom with Caleb proved to be an interesting tale. He wanted to go into the men's room. No doubt due to my covering his eyes upon our first entrance into the ladies room. I know, a bit overkill. But, after watching any Dateline episode after 1994, I am so hesitant to let him out of my sight. Luckily a nice lady said there was a family restroom, so, I turned around and let him deal. No sooner was the door closed that the toilet flushed and he was washing his hands. So unfair to be a woman at a public venue. I always knew that. But seriously, how is it possible for it to be done so quickly?!?!!!!

We headed down to our seats and left shortly after. We all walked down and I held McKenna to make it a bit faster, though we were still checking for shoes quite often.

All in all, a great game. We lost the first game, don't know who won the second. I never go for the game really. Just the scene. Love the chaos for a short time, the goofy things they do to pass the time. The odd conversations you can overhear, and the cool weather and bright lights once the sun goes down. Can't beat the company with a stick either. Well, I guess technically you could, but it is illegal and I love them way too much to do that anyway.

I even saw Deanna Gehman, she was there with a group from church, and I get to see her in two weeks at the Musselman reunion. A good start to the summer. Spent way too much money on food for a night and could have lived for two weeks if it were the grocery store, but so glad to do it. There are so many things I will remember, definitely the economy comment, bathrooms and soda with Caleb, and McKenna's exuberance at anything musical or pig mascot, and Janelle's comments while being passed by a shuttle cart. Seriously, those of you who know her, know it is hard not to laugh when she gets a bit irritated, yet is being lighthearted about the situation.

Good times, good times!

Tuesday With Arlen?

The weather was so beautiful yesterday, and though it was cool to some, I would be happy if every single day of the year were the same temperature and humidity. Plus my hair looked awesome!

Anyway, I decided to change things up and park at the Topton Home, jog down to the track, run a few miles, and jog back. Once I finished my little routine around the home, I neared the school to find there was a baseball game in progress on the field next to the track. I wouldn't care except that the spectators sit on the inside of the track to watch the game. Why? I don't know, but it annoys me because I would have to jog in front of them every lap and after a while I just feel dumb. Drives me nuts!

So, I decided to jog down and cross the road and jog through the residential section. I had been down that way before when this same thing happened last year, so I just kept going, knowing I couldn't get lost.

I past an elderly gentleman who commented that he wished he could do what I was doing. It seemed rude to just wave as if to say, yeah, it sucks to be you, so I crossed the street and jogged in place.

He said, "Oh, I'm so glad you stopped", to which I thought, oh great I hope I'm not going to be harangued for too long. Well, I continued to jog in place and we talked about jogging paths and where he had run in his younger days. I had gotten tired of jogging in place on an incline and felt a bit stupid now that the conversation had gone on much longer than I had anticipated.

He apologized that his nose was running and so I handed him a tissue. I always take them when I jog because my nose is always running, gross I know, but that is my life. He was reluctant to take it, but I insisted that it was no problem.

He said he missed running, but he just couldn't anymore. I said I had voiced my concern about wear on my joints for the future and he mentioned he would run upwards of ten miles in the Marine Corps and that I would be stronger in the future for my efforts today. He told me he was 80 and only needed a cane.

I said, "You were in the Marine Corps?"

"Yes, 22 years."

"Thank you for your service to this country." With his head down, he said,

"No, no I didn't say that for you to thank me."

"Listen! Thank you for your service." He looked up and said,

"Thank you."

Then he said after all these years he has one regret. He wishes he would have stayed in the service for 29 years and not gotten out so soon. It was all he could think about each evening while he watched television with his dog, Amber close by him. He had traveled to many places and taken his family when he could. His youngest daughter was born in Copenhagen, but he still wishes he would have stayed.

I felt like a heel for initially not want to stop and talk to this "old man". Then I was humbled by the fact that he was reluctant to take a tissue from me. Something is terribly amiss. I have noticed from many service people that they do not walk around thinking we owe them anything, when we owe them so much. Honestly, a tissue is the least I can give in return.

It had started to get dark and I said I should get going. The path I took was a loop and I had to pass him again. I said good night and he bid me to hurry because the moon was rising.

What a sweet man, outside with his dog at night, engaging in conversation with people he meets, wishing after all these years he could have served his country more. I don't know the actual years you need to be born to be considered a part of the greatest generation, but technical or not, Arlen form Topton is definitely among them.

I didn't get all the jogging in I wanted to on account of it getting dark and my hapchance meeting. But, I'm so glad for the opportunity to meet an interesting character, and I'm glad I took it. I had just been thinking that I so often forgo building relationships with people because I have some task I need to get done. And while to let every task go, would be irresponsible, some tasks just don't have the timeline we put on them. I don't expect that it will turn into a Tuesdays with Arlen type scenario, but if I see him again I will stop and chat.

When I read the Bible and notice Jesus' interactions with people, He never seems hurried. He's not the "white rabbit" that I can be so often. He is calm, He is interested in people, and He is present. Granted, He is perfect and is all those things to people even now, but I want to be like that for Him and others. Those of you who know me, and even those of you who don't, please pray, I have so far to go and the moon is rising.

Love Notes and Thank You's

Yesterday was a crazy day at work. I had not been there Friday due to the weather, and yesterday I paid for it. Bills to prepare, calls to return, proverbial fires left and right just screaming for attention.



Still, it wasn't the worst day I've ever had, just busy and unrelenting. At one point in the day clients had brought in their daughter. I thought they left and heard a little girl's voice and thought perhaps my sister had brought in her daughter to visit with her daddy, one of the CPA's.



But alas, I looked up to see this little dark haired cutie in the place of what I was hoping to be a very fair and blonde little munchkin. Oh well, all the same, didn't have time to make a fuss over her as I love to do.



I stayed past my normal closing time due to some things that needed to go out in the mail, and just having the time to attend to things withougt interruption once the day "officially" ended.



So, I grabbed my things and headed home. A quick glance reminded me that I needed to get gas and I was going to go to a Giant store because I was so close to ten cents off. It would just kill me to get it anywhere else.



To be certain I would receive the discount I went in for a few things I needed before pumping the gas, as I walked in, I started looking for signs as to where things were in this particular store.



I headed into one aisle and I thought I heard McKenna's voice say "Aunt Stacy". I thought okay, seriously, you can see her in a few days, don't be psycho about it. Then I heard Janelle say, "No, that's not Aunt Stacy." I came back out of my aisle and looked over to see them standing by the strawberries.



I know there are a lot of cliche's about meeting people in the grocery store, but I was just so thankful to run into them in the store that I don't usually go to, I just needed gas, and because I'm cheap I wanted to spend money to save money regardless of the true sound financial wisdom or not.



Anyway, I got to squeeze the munchkin and hold her. We decided to shop together for which I was thankful again because Janelle started to feel ill from looking at the food, and I stayed with Kenna to pick out yams together and fetch anything else that could easily anger the very fragile balance of a pregnant woman's gastrointestinal fortitude.



Janelle very graciously let me buy a chocolate donut for McKenna. I don't know why I buy crap for my nieces and nephews. I guess, in the true sense it was a treat for me and I wanted her to have a treat too.



I went throught the check out first and when the checker saw McKenna, she asked Janelle if she wanted a paid sticker. She said sure. I put it on McKenna's hand. I thought, how strange to put a paid sticker on a person. I quickly thought of slavery, child trafficing, and truly heinous things that just make me sad, but then my thoughts came to rest on the fact that I have a paid sticker on myself. You can't see it, but it is there. It cannot be removed, will not fade, and is unmistakable.



I walked with them to the parking lot and then got my car fuled up. I drove home very thankful for the orchestration God so flawlessly worked out so that I could see two of my favorite people on this earth, and that in the midst of today's gift, He reminded me of the gift He gives me every day. He didn't have to, He just did, and so for my love note from Heaven come to life, I say thank you Lord, and wanted to share it with you.

The Great Snow Caper 2010

Today I awoke to the marshmallow world Johnny Mathis sang about all those years ago. As I pulled the blinds to check the condition of the roads from the warmth of my apartment, I saw that the road was clear. My car was not. I checked the news, found that route 78 was closed and delighted in the fact that I could be late and vindicated by a major highway shutting down. So, I got ready, and headed out to clear my car.

One of my neighbors was outside clearing her car and we had the nice weather conversation. I got my window scraper out of my car and started clearing the crazy snow from my car. She had a shovel and I was thankful because I would need to borrow it. Once she cleared her car and shoveled a clearing around the wheels, she began to clear my car. I thanked her. Even when I had to run in for a tissue she continued. I said I was thankful, but that if she didn't mind me borrowing her shovel, I'd continue and she could get on her way. She obliged and I began to shovel mounds of snow from around my car trying not to re-bury her car.

By the time I had cleared out, I was a hot mess and in need of shower number two. Got ready again, took a call from Arlene from work in which I told her I would be taking the back roads. As I got to my car the second time, I nearly fell on my rear, but I saved my to go cup of tea, and neighbor number two helped clear more snow from around my car. I started to pull away, and lowered my window to say thank you again to which he just laughed and said your welcome, like alright already, get out of here woman.

So, I'm driving, I'm driving and the road is alright, it's been cleared, but there is slush and snow, and some of the patches are slippery, but I'm a good driver, no Nana references Jen, and I'm confident that I'm still fine. I get to the road I need to turn onto and almost immediately the road disappears and I'm driving on nothing but snow. Okay, no problem, I got this, that is why I have D3 and 2. So, I'm driving I'm driving, and as I come down a hill and the road slants toward my lane and I try to drive up another hill while an oncoming care takes their share out of the middle I become stuck in the snow.

So, I reverse, I spin forward, I reverse again, each time embedding my car further into the snow at the side of the road. I get out of my car, and get the only thing I have to move some snow, a postal bin that I use to take the mail during tax season. So, I'm scraping snow from around my tires and off the road and a big truck passes me. Thankfully he stopped and asked if I had called anyone. I said I was trying to dig myself out first and he basically said that isn't going to happen. So, now another truck comes up behind me with a plow. That guy gets out and the two men have a man conversation about how best to move my car from the embankment.

They ask if I have anything to move my car. No, just a crock pot I borrowed from my sister-in-law and gym clothes in the trunk. Along with survival gear that does not include rope or a tow line.

Praise the Lord the man in the truck behind me has a tow line under the floor mat in his truck. He starts to pull my car while the man from the front truck steers. During this time, the wife of the man driving my car tells me 78 is open. To which I am glad to hear, and also ticked. If only the news had told me the truth about the highway. So, attempt number one and the tow line snaps. Good thing it didn't pull anything from my car and we can try again. Guy number one finds another tow line in his car, so they double up and try two more times. Praise the Lord, they were able to get me out.

By this time traffic on this back road filled with snow is lining up. I am not going forward, so my only option is back from whence I came. I back up to the first driveway that is on a deep hill. Guy two that pulled me out suggested I try to turn around there, to which I said, what you talkin' bout crazy? Not really, but I was thinking it. So, I back up all the way to the top of the hill.

Slowly, slowly I reverse and people behind me just sit. Slowly, slowly I continue pointing backwards and saying as if they could hear me, I'm coming back.

The line of traffic gracefully pulls to the right to allow me to pass. At one point I was so close to a car I was afraid of hitting it. Thankfully no contact was made, but if anyone was in my passenger seat, they could have asked for Grey Poupon. So, I waved a thank you and continued on my way to a safe place to turn around.

I finally got that chance to turn around, and headed back home. Knowing now that the highway was open, I had to try again. So, I went the way I normally go to work. Two hours after I started this blessed journey, I was back at square one.

Arriving at work at 10:30 messed me up for the rest of the day, but all in all an adventure. I'm so thankful, there was no accident. I often say that in inclement weather I will wait until all the yahoos are off the road. Well, I think after today, some people may be saying that to themselves, but I'm the yahoo they are trying to avoid.

Thank you two neighbors and two strangers, and the countless people I annoyed passing your car backwards. This yahoo salutes you.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Yesterday was a long day at work. I wasn't feeling the best over the weekend, but Sunday and Monday I was starting to feel pretty good. Then yesterday I got to work and my nose started dripping, and my eye started watering. Basically, that was me all day. Great to be the afternoon receptionist when all you want to do is leave a tissue sticking out of your nose. It sounds gross, it is gross, but I've totally done that at home. Can I get a witness?



In any case, as many days at work go, toward the end of the day you just get anxious for quitting time. When I looked up from my work I noticed I only had seven minutes until I would be able to leave.



I didn't leave in seven minutes, but the stress was off and I knew that any time I wanted to leave I could. So, I finished some odds and ends and left pretty soon there after as I was not feeling so great.



When I got home and turned on the news I heard about the earthquake in Haiti. It happened at 4:53. My heart sank as I remembered that being the time I was so excited to leave my job. My job, located in the United States, in Pennsylvania, near most of my family, my family that had not experienced an earthquake.



And so I thought of those I had met in the Dominican Republic, the country that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. I had gone to the DR while I was in college to help with a building project. The people I met there were the most loving, happy, and genuine people I have ever met. They had next to nothing.



I know that Haiti is less well off than the DR, my sister-in-law had seen this first hand while she was in college. I have transferred some of the faces of the people I met in the DR to some of those in Haiti. I am hoping my acquaintances in the DR are safe, but praying for their neighbors to the West.

I will continue to get excited when I see that I can leave work soon, but I will be reminded to pray for those in Haiti still waiting to hear from loved ones and for the ongoing recovery effort.

My Little Town

I can sometimes be a little bit harsh on Mertztown. I recently said I bet there is at least one man named Skeeter in this town. And while I maintain the highly likely mathematical possibility, I would like to paint a somewhat more serene picture of this place I call home.

Yes, there may be a few yards decorated with warn out freezers and old fire extinguishers, but it is also the kind of town where the mail can be delivered to your brother's house because until you moved in he was the only Rapp. And you often see the same people in the store. That's right the store, that is aptly located on Store Street, directly across from the post office, where everybody knows your name. I had to work that in, I just couldn't forgive myself for missing that opportunity.

Not to be mistaken, Mr. Rogers doesn't live here. Not only because he has passed away, but because people still ride your bumper as you slow down to turn into your driveway, sometimes people go the opposite direction of the arrows in the parking lot of the store, and when you are waiting for the Red Box people take their sweet old time not caring that you know what you want and would like to watch the movie sometime that day.

I know, we have a Red Box, and when I saw it outside the store, I had to think of the scene in Fiddler on The Roof when Motel the tailor got his new used sewing machine and people came from far and wide just to see this newfangled technology. I digress.

I fear I am not doing a good job of debunking that Skeeter thing. What I am taking the long way to Farmer Boyd's to say is that tonight as I took out the trash, I was overwhelmed by the brightness of the stars. I realized that giving up some of the conveniences of city life can give me what most have to travel an hour to see. And though as a child I could never find the dippers, I had no trouble tonight. I know I have no idea what all the constellations are and when they are out, but it doesn't matter to me. The fact that I could see so many stars was enough for me. I thought how each one was put in its place with purpose, purpose I may never know. I stood there, looking up, thinking of the wise men looking for the star of promise so long ago. I thought of how I should be looking for Jesus' second coming and praying for that day with hope and anticipation. Just then, and I kid you not, O Come, O Come Emmanuel started to play on the church bells from down the street.

It was what I like to call a movie moment. I have been looking for one this Christmas. I even went so far as to get into a slight altercation with one of my sisters because a "picture perfect" shopping trip wasn't working out. It is so funny how when I try to direct those perfect moments they fail miserably. And when I let go of those notions, God orchestrates things in such a way as to say, wait, look up, this is the moment I have for you. This is your Christmas movie scene this year. You are in the perfect part, the scene is set, and all the extras that I need are present.

That right there is my love note Christmas card from Heaven.

Every Two Weeks

I have had a bi-weekly reminder of God’s provision. I say bi-weekly as thought He has been silent in the interim, but bi-weekly is how often I get paid. The reminder of God’s provision is because the last four digits including decimal are 29.11. It is of no concern to you what precedes these numbers so I will continue.

The amount of my pay changed in the summer when a work purchase program ended and I received the remainder of my pay. It was perfect timing as He always has because I had been budgeting, trying to figure out when I could pay off such and such and how much I could save for a new car, and a down payment for a house. And I came to a realization that it still wasn’t enough for what I wanted to accomplish. However, it was and is enough for what I need.

It hit me one day when I opened the envelope to record in my bank book the deposit that God was trying to give me Jeremiah 29:11. 11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God knows when all of those dreams will come true or if they will come true. I am to praise Him for providing what He provides, when He provides it.

I know that there are many who have had a rough financial time this year. I do not mean to smack a verse on it and make it all better. The context of the verse speaks volumes. God is speaking to the captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. He says, plant roots, it will be a while. Prosper in that city you find yourself, when the city prospers, you will prosper. Marry, have children, and all the while stay true to me because I am not finished with you. You won’t be there forever, just for seventy years, but I will come and fulfill my promises to you after that time. He says it best.
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

I know this is written to Israel, but I am encouraged by it today. I am reminded of Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 14;
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."

As I read these words today, I am encouraged by the Truth that Jesus is coming back. He will one day according to His gracious promise, come and release us from this spiritual exile we find ourselves now. We have planted roots, married, multiplied, and prospered along with those who do not believe as we do. But all the while, we know we are not home.

There is a lot going on in this world, in our country, in our homes, in our individual lives. And when I start to get overwhelmed with all the possibilities and unknowns of the future, God reminds me He has the plans. And as much as I hate the need to know basis of any relationship, this is one I have to learn to accept, and one I need many reminders to be still and know that He is God. And so He gives them to me, if not sooner, every two weeks.