WHATCHA DOING?

Whatcha doing?


Over the last 6 years, a sweet ray of sunshine has asked me that question, over and over and over again. I would usually reply with exactly what I was doing when he asked it: cooking dinner; working on the computer; waiting on church to start; or trying to teach a Bible lesson. Or I might reply with some off the wall answer like: I don’t know; Picking daisies; or nothing. It didn’t really matter because he was going to ask me again within a matter of minutes. It would begin to irritate me after a while and I would wish he would stop. What I would give to hear him say those words again, but I know that if things were the same as they were just 3 short weeks ago those words would still just be an irritant instead of what they are today, a question of theological discussion.

See, when these words were asked 3 weeks ago, they were words from a special needs child, who though mainly none verbal, had great curiosity and no personal space. He didn’t think you needed personal space either and being right up in your business was exactly where he was going to be. Because of how my short sighted mind was, I reasoned that he asked this questions over and over again because this was a phrase he would say and since he couldn’t say much else then, what the heck, just say it all the time. I couldn’t phantom that there was any real question there or any real reason for him to ask it.

But I now know the rest of the story.

This young beautiful soul was one of the most free loving followers of Christ I have ever been blessed to be around, much less to actually be in his inner most circle. He knew Christ here on earth far more clearly then I believe even Christ disciples did. He understood that Christ is love and that all people are loved by Christ. He loved ALL people like Christ. He understood that Christ was not afraid of any situation or anybody. He was not afraid to walk up to someone and sit right down and touch them. He seemed to know when someone needed a friend beside them. He understood that Christ forgave everyone. He would forgive those of us who being so short mind and ill tempered would yell at him when he asked “Whaddya doing?” for the 6 hundredth time. He would just smile back instead with a big wide grin and rub his hands together in rapid motion like he was starting a fire. He had such insight into Christ that I believe he also understood that he was only going to be with us for a very short time and that he had to get the rest of us to understand and see Christ like he did. He did this through that one question, “Whatcha doing?”.

“What are you doing?” Are you being all who Christ wants you to be? Are you spreading the Lord’s message with all you encounter? Are you feeding the hungry and helping the orphans and widows? Are you actively seeking a relationship with God and working on healthy Christian relationship with others? How are you treating your family and friends? Why are you lonely when God is right there looking at you with His arms open wide?

These are just a few of the questions that I believe he was trying to ask………..but “Whatcha doing?” were the words that he had in his vocabulary that he could use to ask them. We just weren’t smart enough to hear the real question.

John Claude Scarborough was born June 12, 1995 to two loving parents John and Tammie Scarborough. Two parents who understood that Christ and God and church were a very important part of life and they loved their son so much they took him to church every Sunday and to every church event. They didn’t let his handicap stop him or them from their relationship with God. On October 8, 2011, John Claude’s earthly body could not withstand the challenges of this life and he ran on ahead into the loving arms of his Lord, Jesus Christ.

I will miss this beautiful follower of Christ but I now understand that he was trying so very hard to get me to listen; to stop and hear; to spend some time with our Savior so that I could have the inner peace and joy that he had. John Claude, THANK YOU. Thank you for being my mentor in my faith journey. Thank you for being a light in my life. Thank you for being you. I love you sweet boy and I will miss your sweet face but I know, one day, I will walk into Heaven only to be greeted by you and this words, “Whatcha doing?”.

The Big Dam Bridge Bike Race

What a gorgeous day for a 30 mile ride and doing it with my family was amazing.   I have always enjoyed being with Marty but wondered when we were expexting Emily how life would change.  I was curious what the future would hold as the girls grew into easy stage of their lives.  We do almost everything together and always have and I think that is a huge part of how special our family is. 

The girls are growing faster it seems and I know in a blink they will be grown but I sure do treasure the days like today and I am so glad we are doing it together.

I love you girls!

A little troll in the woods has a umbrella on it's porch.


Had a great weekend with my family.  We enjoyed bike riding, working in the yard, playing Eartholopy, and more bike riding.

The weather has cooled and dried out and is starting to feel like fall.  This is my FAVORITE time of the year.  I hope to have many more weekends just like this with more photos to show.

Road to Emmaus

Today I journey back to a place where my journey with Christ changed paths forever.  6 years ago I went on what I thought was just a weekend retreat with others from my church but found something far different.  I found love, healing, and grace.  I didn't even know I needed it. 

I am honored and humbled to go back this weekend as the lay director for this walk.  This journey that could very well be a key change for some one who is where I was just 6 short years ago.

Lord be with us this weekend as we go about your work.  May our words be yours.  May our hands and feet do your will.  And may we spread your love and comfort.  In your Son's name.  Amen.

Father's Day

Enough said.  

Chauvinism

I have always been fairly lucky in my career to not really have to deal with chauvinist. Usually they have been rather removed from the positions I have worked, but there is this one engineer who is now elligible for retirement that is getting under my skin.

There are a few conservation practices that we do that cross between irrigation (what I do) and livestock (what he does). Practices are divided up among us based on what we specialize in. But those practice that do multi aspects will have one in charge and the others who have a vested interest in will consult on it. Well I am the lead on one such practice and consulted with one of the other specialist about the pratice. The other person was off that day so I typed what changes we agreed upon and laid it on this indivuals desk for his comment.

This morning I hear him at the other specialist's cubical whom I did consult with talking about the changes. Three times the other specialist told him it was my practice and he needed to go see me. He leaves his cubical, of which I expected him to come to mine. He didn't. Instead I received an email 20 minutes later with his opinions. I work 2 cubical away from the other special and in the very cubical this specialist inhabited for umpteen years. Are you kidding me?

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Enjoying Life

I am so blessed.  I have a wonderful life.  I received a new swing for my back porch from Marty and the girls for  Mother's day and I'm sitting out here on the beautiful spring evening wrapped in a blanket enjoying this gorgeous weather.
The wind is causing the leaves to rustle in the trees and the birds are signing.  I can imagine many of evening right here.  Hope your not needing anything from me any time soon.  I can't wait until a bit later though when the Hwy 5 traffic slows down.  It's rather bothersome.
I think I just found my new space to read my Bible and my books.

So where is your favorite spot?  Do you have a retreat spot?  A personal space?

Got to go.  I feel like vegging.

Mt. Magazine with my Family

Here are my pride and joy.  I know most moms say they have great kids and they may but these two girls are amazingly  awesome.  Everyday they bring me new joy and laughter.  They aren't perfect, they are just girls being girls.  They giggle, they cry and they love.  Thank you God for these beautiful creatures that you have entrusted me with.

First Assignment

Well, my first photo is due tonight. I'm so unsure which photo to submit. But i think it is going to be the cat. Who knows. It's the first for all of us. It should be interesting.

The A student in me is having a hard time though because I want to be everyones pick. Now I remember why I wanted ou of college so bad. The pressure is tough on me. Lol. I will let you know Tuesday night what photo won.

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Running Late

Slept right through the alarm this morning. That is not good. Even though I ended up only 10 minutes late for work, it puts me out of alignment all day. I could blame it on the cold medicine I took last night but the fact of the matter is I just need a lot of sleep. One of my sisters sleeps maybe 5 hours every night and I just can't see how she is functioning. Maybe her body is just use to it or maybe I'm just a sloth. Not sure which but I had better find some time to sleep before working the Chrysalis Flight next weekend.

Speaking of that, prayers are requested for that flight and also for me and the walk God has entrusted me with. I am starting to get nerves now because Patti has submitted her team list and she is the last women's walk before mine. There is lots to do and the pressure to really listen to God and do what He is calling me to do is scary. I don't want to fail Him.

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Running

Considering I didn't run all of December, I didn't loose as much ground as I would have thought. I had got to week 5 day 3, though never completed it, but starting back at week 4 hasn't been too difficult. We ran and completed day 2 last night and now for this week I just have to do day 3. I can then move back to week 5. I'm rather proud of myself. I would never have pictured me as a runner and I am only interested in 5Ks but running for my health isn't too bad.

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2011

Well, I feel I'm off to a good start this year. I'm making plans and getting somethings accomplished. The trick will be sticking to it. Tiffany turned me onto droid blogging so maybe I will even be able to blog online what I normally blog in my head. That should scare you.

I don't have any resolutions other then continueing with the couch to 5k program, staying organized and being more Christ like in our finances.

This is a year full of adventures with me being a lay director and Marty declaring his intent to become a Methodist pastor. Good thing God is good and always has a plan. We're leaving it in His hands.
Well this is my first droid post. Need to get back to work.

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Christmas Time

I just spent over an hour typing a Christmas post of which blog saves every so many minutes.  Some how in a matter of seconds, I was able to unintentionally and with know clue how, highlight and delete the post just as the software was doing a save.  Lost the WHOLE thing.  And it wasn't a short thing.  AAAAGGGGHHHH

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family, friends and those I have yet to meet.

God has blessed me with a wonderful loving husband; beautiful intelligent caring daughters; extended family and friends too numerous to count.  The love that fills my heart with these blessings overflows.  I wish each and every person this love.  If you have lost someone one this year, I am praying for you this holiday season.  God is always with us.

God loves you.  I love you. And nothing you can do can change that.

Love to you all!!!

Couch to 5K

Back in June Marty and I started doing the Couch to 5K running plan.  Not really to get ready for a 5K but to get us off the couch and back to being active and healthy.  This is a 9 week program where you run 3 days of each week, so you would think we would be done by now.  LOL.  Well we're not.  Marty is way farther then me but he is going at my pace so I will keep doing it.  We are on Week 5 Day 3.  Day 3 is 5 minutes of warm up, 20 minutes of running and 5 minutes of cool down.  When we started, I could barely run for 1 minute and I could hardly imagine that I would run for 30 minutes straight.  We did Day 3 Week 5 on Sunday and I was able to run 14 minutes of the 20 minutes and travel 5 laps around the football field.  This is just amazing to me.  I have NEVER in my life ran 14 minutes for any reason.

I will let you know if I actually make it to 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Carving

We finally found a Saturday where we could make it to the pumpkin patch and get our pumpkins.  Every since we started carving pumpkins in girl scouts my girls have to carve a pumpkin each year.  It's really cool that they love it so much.  Pumpkin carving isn't something we did very much when I was young.  I only remember doing it once or twice, but it is becoming a family tradition for us.  The girls do a very good job of carving too.

Emily did a witches hat.  Erin did a laughing pumpkin and Marty did a traditional pumpkin.

Life as of Late

There has been so many things helping lately.  I have thought many times about blogging and just haven't done it. Too bad my thoughts have to go through my fingers to the keyboard to blog.  LOL.

In the last month, I have become the mom of a teenager.  Emily has grown up so fast.  It is so hard to believe that it has been 13 years since we brought her home

Back to School and back to routine

School starts in just 10 more days.  Emily is going into 7th grade and Erin into 5th.  Man, is this going fast. 

Last week we picked up Emily's schedule.  Lots of hype over getting a piece a paper.  She spent all afternoon finding out she had no classes with any of her friends.  Which I understand not having any of the electives with none of her friends because one is an athlete, one is a wanting band, one is a drama queen and Emily is into choir but her basics?  She is taking PreAP English, PreAP Math, and PreAP Science and her three best friends are too.  How many PreAP classes are there?  This is the same 350 kids she went to school with last year, come on.  Anyway, being the laid back kid she is, she wasn't upset in the least.  Just OK and prepared me a supply list to go shopping for.  Got to love that kid.  She makes my life so easy.

Now if she would just plan her 13th birthday party for me I would be all set.

Erin doesn't find out about her team until the 10th.  So we don't know if she will be with any of her friends or not.  She is patiently anticipating though.  She feels like she knows that school already from going up there for her sister's parent/teacher conferences and art night.  We shall see.  There is one friend from day care she is really wanting on her team because when they opened a new school 3 years ago and did the rezoning she was moved to another school and they no longer got to see each other.  She so wants to get to spend time with her again.

Negative vs. Positive

Wow!!!!  I was just typing a post (which I deleted before I posted it) about my job and while thinking about it and my last post I realize. "Dang I'm sure negative."  That isn't like me.  I'm always the up beat one, the Polly Anna of the group.

Never Stops, Does it?

We never out grow it do we? We never stop having those stupid high school dramas. Why is that? Why can't we grow up and just get a long? Why must we all be so self absorbed that we don't realize that others have issues too?

Christ tells us to love one another as we love ourselves. If we were to all do this I don't think this would be a problem. There wouldn't stupid issues of: "you don't ever call me." "You visit him more then you do me." "OH, you didn't invite us to the party." Why do we get our feelings hurt over, most of the time, unintentional exclusions? In high school it was because we didn't get invited to "THE" party or "THE" movie or "THE" whatever. But at what age do we stop feeling we are deliberately being cut off when most of the time it is just the lack of time people have in their busy lives.

I'm having an issue right now and I don't feel I can talk to anyone about it which is just silly because I have a ton of wonderful friends who would listen if I would just call. I know that their life is full of issues they are dealing with and so I don't want to call. What this does though, is it makes me feel like no one cares and like I'm the one always being there for them but not getting the same back. Which in turns makes me want to be there less for them because their not being there for me. Yet, I'm not giving them the chance to be either, but shouldn't they know me well enough to know what all is going on with me. Shouldn't they be calling and just checking in on me? Why must I be the one that always makes the calls? Thus a vicious cycle continues to go round.

I have tried to turn this over to Christ so many times but I am a weak, weak human and I let this chain of gloom drag me down. I love my friends, my sisters and would do anything and everything to move heaven and earth for them. I always try to put my sisters needs before my own and be Christ servant of love to all. Yet when the guilt monster comes out because one has needed more attention and thus left another feeling slighted, I can not deal. How do I get past my feeling of despair when someone feels that I'm not their "true friend" because I have not been there for them as they expect me to based solely on their view of the situation.

Sometimes I think facebook, instant messaging, twitter, text messages and voicemail have truly destroyed good friendships because us humans feel slighted when someone responds to another post but not ours, or comments on their photo but not ours, or they don't get right back to us when we sent them a text or twitter. REALLY - When will we ever stop putting so much pressure on each other to make us happy. Isn't that what we're looking for? You call me and show me I'm important to you and thus I'm happy. I call you and show you your important tome and thus your happy.

When will I fully let go and let God handle this? How many times do I have to take it to the cross? I guess Satan knows me too well and thus continues to undermine me growing in God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Gracious father, please take these evil feelings of loneliness and despair and inadequacy away. Please help me learn to discern the issues that I should concern myself with and to let go of those that are really of no merit. Guide me each day to love and accept each person as children of yours and remind me that we each fall short of perfection. Help me to forgive those that may not understand me or who may think ill of me and learn that being liked by all is far less of importance then being loved by you. Let me find my happiness in you and the wonderful blessing you have granted me. I just want to be your daughter, to walk in your way.

With all my love,