Wednesday was my birthday and it was a great time with Doug, Jeff & Catherine. Thanks to all of you for making it so enjoyable : ) and for the gifts : ) and most of all, making it special by BEing with me. : ) I really enjoy being with all of you!
Thirty years ago today Jeff was born! Happy Birthday Jeff :)
The last few weeks I realized the mouse for my computer wouldn't scroll down the way I wanted it to, the way it was set up to do. I got it with my computer about a year and a half ago. It's the programmable, multibutton Apple Mighty Mouse with a tiny little scroll ball on top that allows you to click, squeeze and scroll through documents or content. It's so cool and easy to use. I really like the little scroll ball that I use with my index finger. I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time, it's so intuitive. Lately I realized it wouldn't scroll down, just up. So I had to scroll by using the scroll bar in the window. I checked the preferences set for the mouse, changed it to 360 degrees and tried it. I even rebooted. Nothing helped. So I called the 800 Apple Tech support number. I told them right away I wasn't techie or anything so they'd know to put it in layman's terms. The guy was so nice. He had me go through several different things, including cleaning the mouse. Nothing helped, so he said they would replace it. That was after 5pm our time yesterday. This morning BEFORE 9am, I received the replacement! It included a return shipping label for the old one so I wouldn't have to pay anything. They were fast, courteous, and very helpful. So now I'm up and scrolling, less than 24 hours later! I really like Apple products, at least the ones I've used. You hear so many horror stories about computer tech support of various companies and I just had to share about good support. A few years ago I spilled water over my Apple laptop keyboard and I called the Apple store where it was bought. They walked me through drying it out. It was my fault, but they took the time to help me fix it.
For years, in bookstores I'd walk past the book, Pride and Prejudice, pick it up and contemplate buying it. I had never read it and didn't know what it was about. I think I equated it with War and Peace, or something and would put it back down. Then Catherine, our daughter-in-law came into our lives and highly recommended the book. Coming from a literature major, a writer herself, and a fan of Jane Austen, it piqued my interest. Still not knowing what it was about, I found the text online and started reading. I thought I'd just read the first chapter, huddling over my little laptop, but no...then I just wanted to read the next chapter to see what happened. Then the next, and the next. I don't know how many chapters I sat there reading that first sitting, but I knew I wanted to finish the book. So originally I read it online, but after awhile I knew I'd want my own copy. I found myself laughing at the wit, enjoying the style of writing, the different characters, and especially the story of how impressions can often be misleading because they're viewed through the wrong lens.
The story takes place in the Georgian period of English history, early 1800's, and the two main characters are Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, a very wealthy young man. Elizabeth Bennet is one of five daughters who's family's home will be given away to a relative on the death of her father because he has no son. Because of this, Elizabeth and her four sisters are put at a great disadvantage in finding a husband, as they will have little financial assets to bring to marriage. Elizabeth's mother's main interest is seeing that her daughters are able to catch suitable husbands so the family will be taken care of. Elizabeth, who intends to only marry for the deepest love, frustrates her mother's attempt at marrying her off. After being at a ball which Mr. Darcy attends with friends, and being offended by something he says about her, Elizabeth's first impressions cause her to misjudge him and instead put her trust in someone totally untrustworthy. There really isn't a dull moment in the book. I know I'm not doing the story justice, as it has so many interesting characters, hilarious dialog, a good message, as well as being a great romance. It's hard for us today to imagine the extreme pressure they felt in that day to find a good "catch" but if you're interested in understanding the times I recommend the book, Jane Austen For Dummies (which I hope to review soon).
Since Pride & Prejudice is published by quite a few publishers, the book I ended up getting is a hardback by Dover Publications. It's full of pen & ink illustrations by Hugh Thomson that give you a glimpse into some of the activities taking place in the story. So thank you, Catherine, for introducing me to a truly enjoyable read.
This book was strongly recommended for a course I signed up for and it looked interesting, so I ordered it from Amazon.com. I know there are so many books out there about hearing God, knowing God, etc. etc., but I have to say I am really impressed with this book, actually excited. I really appreciate that the focus is on God's heart, His desire for intimate conversation with each of us, children & adults, along with some of the many ways God speaks to us. This isn't just a book filled with knowledge of "how to", but you actually walk through exercises that help you hear God. It's the best I've read on the subject so far and I don't say that lightly. Brad Jersak, the author, takes something that can seem so "out there" or mystical, and brings a simplicity to it that's really encouraging. He shares how he was frustrated when reading in scripture, "My sheep hear My voice", when he knew he personally wasn't hearing it, and the journey God has taken him on in the process of learning to. He is coming from the premise that God is always speaking, and that we do hear Him, but don't always recognize it's Him.
The book touches on the blockages and fears that can prevent us from hearing, along with ways of dealing with those blockages. He acknowledges the many voices/thoughts we are bombarded with daily, and how to distinguish which is from God. He does this all in a very "unreligious" way, which is refreshing. His way of relating with God may seem unconventional to some, but to others the norm. Here are two quotes from the book which might give you a better idea if it's one you'd like to read.
"None of my studies, experience, degrees or credentials will open your ears to the voice of God or open your eyes to see his face. They don't establish me as an authority in your life or authorize me as a spokesman for God's heart. I simply come as a witness and ask you to weigh the testimony herein for yourself. I expect that as you do, God himself will begin to speak to you."
"This book is written for anyone who wants to hear God's voice. It is written for disillusioned churchgoers and "prodigals" who are searching for more reality than western church culture generally offers. It is for the stale and the wounded Christian in exile-for those who've left church but haven't left God. It is written for spiritually hungry, "unchurched" people who want to hear God's voice but find the pop gurus unsatisfying (too much self--not enough God). It offers an alternative that appeals to those mystical cravings yet demystifies the process. It introduces a path to inner peace that allows them to keep their feet on the ground. It is written for Christian pastors and leaders who want to equip their people with "ears to hear." They will be prepared to train their congregations to hear God without fear of producing prophetic flakes. Christian leaders will become "watchmen" who open the door to the voice of the Good Shepherd. It is written for Christian lay people who want to hear God for themselves. Those who have depended on church leaders to be God's voice to them will be challenged to tune in to the God who speaks to ordinary people. Their faith will be stirred to encounter and respond to God as he asks, "Can you hear me?"'
Here I am, making my very first post on this cool blog I received as a birthday present from Jeff & Catherine :) For my birthday, Jeff said he would make a blog for me (which I really wanted), and after asking me what types of things I wanted to do with it, worked at creating just the kind of blog I want. I wanted certain features in it, but I wanted to be able to use them myself without needing to learn to code, lol, or have an administrator do it for me (that being Jeff). Then he had me pick out the style. He made it simple for me using Drupal 5.2 and something called Moveable Type. Soooooo, here it is!
He said there is something else he still needs to add, being able to add photos to my posts. So I hope to be sharing about books I'm reading, write various reviews, things I'm thinking about, what's going on, etc. Oh, and there will be a place for comments as well. So, friends and family, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do :)
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