May the Good Lord take a like'n to ya!

Is that how you spell like'n? Or is it liken? Or liking? Or licking? I don't know....

Regardless, a silly man said that to me on the street this week. I was walking down Broadway to run a quick errand and I heard a motorized chair come up behind me. I glanced back and there was this man with a floppy cowboy hat swerving up the sidewalk towards me.

I stepped to the side a little bit and he came up and stopped just next to me. I don't remember what he said exactly at first, but it made me smile. Something to do about the weather and the beautiful day. He threw in a couple of good ole southern cliches. "Like, if I was any better...I'd be twins." It was a brief encounter but one I will remember. As he drove his wheelchair away, he looked back over his should and with a toothless smile said, "May the Good Lord take a like'n to ya!" I smiled even more as I crossed the street.

Today, as I was walking out to go to lunch, I ran in to our mailman "Doc." Yep...that's his name. Or at least that's what everyone calls him. He's the sweetest, nicest mailperson I've ever met. He always has a moment to chat and is the typical southern gentleman. He's the type of guy you'd see walking door to door in a little country town delivering mail. It's great.

Anyways...today, he gets on the elevator as I am getting off the elevator. He had been off work for a couple of days, and I asked how his vacation was. You tend to notice when you don't see Doc's friendly face for a couple of days...so I assumed he was on vacation. The short version is that he helped move his grandfather in law to his in-laws house. So he was happy to be back to work. I laughed.

Then he said this. "You know what's the difference between in-laws and out-laws?" What? "Out-laws are 'wanted'!" :)

Yup...this is a random blog. I just wanted to share these little life moments. Maybe you can share the smile moments too.

Choose your words!!

The last couple of days, I've started to get really annoyed with loud people. I realize that at times, I can be loud. But some people are just always loud. And they are ALWAYS talking. And they laugh really loud with this fake laugh all the time. I'm pretty sure I'm about to go POSTAL!!

I'm realize that this is very judgmental and probably completely petty. And this may sound cheesy, but I've really tried to figure out what God might be teaching me in this situation. So I've been praying and here's where I'm at so far. Bottom line...I have no control over the actions or loudness of others. I can be encouraging and I can set an example. But in the end, we are all who we are. So instead of spending time and effort trying to "fix" those around me (which doesn't work anyway); I'm trying to focus on myself and my actions. How can I be a better person and even more an influential person?

It's a common misconception for me that if I act disapproving or angry at a situation...it'll change the situation. Donald Miller has written about a situation like this, so I'll paraphrase and steal his example. (Thanks D!) A guy at his church really annoyed him. Don thought he was immature and loud. So whenever that guy was around, Don would roll his eyes or make snotty comments, thinking that this might influence the guy to grow up a bit. Obviously, it doesn't usually work that way. It might work with a 3 year old and their parents, but not usually with your peers.

So eventually, Don gets convicted and instead of huffing and puffing over this kid, he started loving on him. He offered encouragement instead of sarcasm. He decided to look past the annoying behavior and see the person behind it. He spent time with him and showed him what maturity looks like. Don also loosened up a bit in the process. In the end, the two became good friends. Both became better and grew in the process.

So...back to my world, what do I do now? How can I encourage and influence people in a positive way? And more importantly, what attributes do I need to open up and be willing to change about me? (I'm cynical and sarcastic. That's a start.)

I've also learned that usually people who talk a lot, don't listen very well. They also usually talk a lot because they are trying to prove something or they are insecure about a situation. So in the process, they are thinking about themselves and what they're saying and they are not hearing the other person.

So I ask this question...How well do I listen? That'll be another blog. :)

I haven't slept at my parent's house in 2 years...

But tonight...I'm doing just that. In my bed, in my old room. It's now my new room...or my room again. Whatever you want to call it.

I got up at 5:30 this morning to finish packing and cleaning out my apartment. I had my family (mom, dad, and Chris) and several wonderful friends who came to help me. We loaded the truck and unloaded at my parent's house in about 2 1/2 hours. All because of Chris, Greg, Shane, and Brandon busting tail to get it done! But 2 1/2 hours, that's pretty dang good if you ask me!!

The downstairs is PACKED full. You walk in the front door and there're boxes and bags and couches and chests. Gosh...I have a lot of crap! My room is somewhat set up. I have my bed and my dresser and chest. Dad hooked up my DVD player to the TV, so I'll be able to watch movies for now. I think we'll have cable here soon hooked upstairs.

I'm anxious to see how it goes living back at home. I haven't lived here in close to 3 years. I've been on my own. I've had several room mates. The majority of time, I either lived by myself, or felt like I was by myself. I think I actually prefer going solo. At least that's what I'm going to go for next time. Or maybe I'll be lucky and my next move will be to live with Mr. McDreamy?!? (I'm ready to meet him...so if you know who my Mr. McDreamy is, please send him my way!)

On a postive note, my new room is fully equiped with wireless internet...so hopefully I'll be better at updating! :) And of course...I'll be surfing a lot more! :)

Well...enough of my rambling. I'll keep you posted. Right now, I'm tired and my knees hurt real bad!

Much love!