A Morning Chuckle

    I never run out of humorous stories, because I look back through my journals and read about my escapades. Here you go:
    I admit I love coffee. I knew I would likely be using instant in Malaysia. I found some coffee in the freezer at the apartment in which I stayed. I thought, "I'll try this!" I made it like instant, but alas, it was NOT instant.
    So my family bought Starbucks instant packets. Here's what I wrote:
     
"I opened the coffee envelope with my teeth, because I couldn't find scissors and my hands were sore---the powder sprayed upwards...on my lips, chin, etc.  I just blew my nose and it looks like coffee stains on the handkerchief!"

    Are you visualizing that?  Oh my... I did find a small pair of scissors!!
    Keep smiling and laughing at yourself, not in a demeaning way, but just enjoy being the wonderful, silly, enchanting person HE made you to be. 

Interrupting Malaysia Story

     I promised more stories from my trip, but this picture begs for comment.

It looked like someone was seated on my chair, and when it warmed up a bit, they disappeared except for the arms.
     I wonder if any of us feel like the invisible person on my patio?
     Many express just those sentiments when dealing with painful issues: we don't always feel seen or heard.
     This has been one of my exciting discoveries in the Immanuel Healing...that Jesus wants us to know that HE is with us, and that He loves to be with us. We are not always able to perceive His presence...because it takes PRACTICE! And truthfully, we may not know how to reconnect.
     For me it also takes a "quieting" of my swirling mind. Just today I was thinking about a situation I did not how to handle. I realized, I must move to my quiet chair, relax, get reconnected with Him and listen.
     Awareness, noticing, and quieting myself helps me not feel alone or invisible to the Lord. 

MALAYSIA TRIP #2

     Airports can be daunting for elderly folks--yes, that's me! Since I was not as familiar with Singapore or Kuala Lumpur airports, I requested a wheelchair. This allows someone who is familiar with transit and immigration/customs issues to help. 

     When I arrived in KL, a smiling Muslim woman provided that assistance. She was super friendly, asking if I got some sleep during those 15 hours?  I answered her questions and she recognized my weariness. She also wanted to know if I was traveling alone. I mentioned the passing of my husband last December, and how I wanted to be with my daughter and her family this year.

     As we waited in line for a passport check, she said, "would you like me to give your shoulders and neck a rub?" WOULD I? It was quite a wait in several places, and she continued to massage my shoulders. WONDERFUL. 

     She was such a delight and help. Some of my energy was revived by her kindness and consideration. Tense muscles felt some relief, and I was grateful for the gentleness of her touch. 

     As she left, she said, "I hope I see you back here on January 9!" 

     JOY MOMENTS.

2019-2020 Trip 1st installment: Children

     The 7 year old leaned over his mother's middle seat while she was gone to the restroom: "Hi, what's your name?" "Karen," I replied, "What's yours?" "Abhi," he said. He turned back to his movie for a moment and then leaned over again and said, "I think we are going to be good friends."
     We were together on the 13 1/2 hour flight from Singapore to Seattle. Abhi had slept well for a couple hours and was now on his second wind. 
     He asked his mother to get him some snacks, which she did, bringing some  for him to share with his sister. He laid them out on his tray table, and leaned over his mother, now seated. "Hey, Karen, would you like a snack?" I said, "I'm not hungry right now." He asked, "If you were hungry, which of these would you like?" I looked at the options and pointed one out. He put it aside...and for the next hour or so, would glance over every 15 minutes and hold up the snack, offering it. I finally ate it.
     After his sister, Angelee, 9, woke up from her nap, Abhi changed seats with her and was across the aisle with his father. Angelee and I had a conversation---
I noticed she had freshly painted fingernail polish on beautiful hands. I said to her, "You have really pretty hands and long fingers. Do you play the piano?" Her face lit up and she said, "Yes, and my mommy plays the drums, Abhi plays the guitar and my father plays the keyboard and guitar. We all play in the worship band at our church." Then she said, "No one has ever told me I have long fingers!" We talked about music for a bit, and then Angelee said, "I really want to be a doctor when I grow up, or …" and she listed several other options. "I just don't know yet!" 
    I spoke to Angelee's mom: "Does that mean you are Christians?"  "Yes," was her reply. They are from a land that is predominantly Hindu. They have lived in the U.S. for 12 years. We spoke for awhile about the scripture, about Jesus, and other issues. We even spoke about women in church leadership. We didn't agree on some topics, but we enjoyed the exchange. 
     Before we landed, she gave me her contact information, because they come to Seattle periodically and I go to Portland from time to time.
     New friends...I think Abhi was right: we're going to be good friends.

Power of Names

      I saw the stroller when I entered the locker room at the YMCA. I thought: "Oh, someone's brought their baby swimming!" 
      A bit early for my arthritis class, I watched the little ones finish up their "swimming lessons." More like "water lessons." Mom was holding the little brother, introducing him to the pool. After lessons, older brother joined them. Fast forward.
      As I came around the corner to get my stuff out of the locker, I saw an interesting sight:  Mom had created a little "corral" out of the stools that dot the locker room. Both little boys were inside the corral, the oldest munching on a cookie.
      As I dressed, I could overhear the conversation...and I was surprised to hear her call the older brother, "Calvin." I went back to the locker for my shoes, and I said, "Did I hear your mom say your name is Calvin?"  "Yep," the child replied. I said, "My children loved a comic book character with that name--Calvin and Hobbs." Mom chimed in: "Yes, he's named for that character."
      Ahhh...some things made more sense: the corral, the repeated prompts the mother gave Calvin to finish getting dressed, pay attention, sit down and put your shoes on, etc. Calvin was a busy, easily distracted, little red-headed boy with a buoyant personality! As I put my shoes and jacket on, he popped his head around the corner to check me out.
      He was a smart child, I could tell, and he would be giving his mom a run for her money. I wonder how much influence his name had on his parents...what would it one day hold for him? 
      Wait a minute...what do you call yourself? Are old nicknames stuck to your personality like glue? Check out what God calls us: His dearly loved children; His treasure, and more.