Dopamine or a Taste of Heaven??

This morning was a rough morning. First day of school after an amazingly fun, busy week of family, food, and fellowship. I made sure everyone was clean and in bed by 8 thinking that would help the morning go better. Nope...So on the way to school I asked - not to anyone in particular - why this always happens after we have spent time with "cousins". Praetoria, without missing a beat replies, "Dopamine". Going on to explain that it is a chemical in the brain that is released in moments of joy. The kids had used all of theirs up and now it was needing to be replenished and so they would be grumpy until that happened. *grin* I have to admit that some of that is indeed true. After having an enjoyable time with the ones we love it seems hard to get back in the swing of things and deal with the pressures of life. Then it hit me while I was washing my hair. I also think that we get a little taste of heaven at those times. Not only are we "family" in the natural sense, but we are more than that. We are bound together by Christ and will be spending eternity together - enjoying food and fellowship in the presence of God Almighty. I think we would all agree that the greatest time together was when we filled the basement on Sunday and lifted up our voices in song and listened to God's Word being preached. What wonderful worship together and THAT is what we will do for enternity!! So whether Dopamine comes into all of that, or not, I am living today with "One Foot Raised" and anxiously await the day when Christ calls us to our true Home that we will never have to leave and where the word "Good-bye" will not exist.

Why I Kissed Facebook Good-bye

I promised I would write why I got off FB, so here it is:

Really a number of reasons went into it, but the main reason was time. I found that I was spending WAY too much time on Facebook. The reality become very clear when everytime I helped Savannah get on-line for something I had to first check FB and Savannah would say, "Not FB again, Mom!!" The funny thing is, I was spending so much time trying to keep up with people I really don't even know that well, but are my "friend". I would even find myself looking through pictures of people I didn't even know only because it was linked on another friend's page. I WILL miss the pictures, but I figure the people I am really good friends with will continue to send me pictures other ways. A verse from II Thes. 3 really hit me one Sunday. It is talking about an undisciplined life and warns about those going around as busybodies. I felt like a busybody. There are so many needs right here in my neighborhood that I should be attending to. People I need to be having face-to-face conversations with. Not to mention my own family! So, I've been trying to play more games with Savannah, check in with more neighbors, and write more hand-written letters. The funny thing is, I don't think most of my "friends" from FB even know I'm gone! As personal as it feels at times, it still falls short of true fellowship. So, I guess that is it in a nut shell. I really don't miss it. One day will I be back? Maybe...but for now I'm enjoying the freedom from my little addiction. :)

And I get paid for this!?

Just had an awesome time at my very,very part-time job. I am blessed to be able to go to these amazing parties and get paid for it at the same time. Granted, I work my tail off most of the time, but it is FUN work! Most of the time I see many people that I know and get to chat with them. But it is also fun just knowing I'm helping people have an enjoyable evening out with great food, good drink, and that it's all presented in a beautiful way. It really is right up my alley and I LOVE it! Tonight was no exception. A beautiful party at an attorney's office. For a thank-you we were each given a bottle of wine - how cool is that!? So instead of that greasy burger I was going to pick up, I decided to go to the store and get the things that we served at this wonderful party to have with my wine when I got home. I should have taken a picture. We had our wine, green and red grapes, specialty sharp white cheddar cheese, rolled salami, fresh bakery bread, and to top it all off -- dark chocolate. I put it all out on a fancy long plate that I have. The kids thought it was great fun and then were soon sent downstairs so Eli and I could enjoy this royal meal :-). What a life God has blessed me with!
P.S. The night could have ended up much differently -- Eli and the kids got hit by a drunk driver while I was gone. Thankfully it was only in a parking lot so they were all fine and the Jeep didn't even sustain any damage, but the guy hit them twice!! They were pretty shaken up, but we are all praising the Lord for His protection!