Long overdue ramble

I'm going to do a post about my current thoughts, struggles and observations about the faith, but until I have internet at home (August 4), ramble!

1. Finally moved and settled in. Still doesn't feel real, but I'm glad it's over. Dave Ramsey would be proud.
2. Let's see how long we can ignore each other, shall we?
3. Don't sweat the small stuff? Tell them that...
4. Going to a wedding in a few weeks. Booked the hotel today! Owwww!
5. GSU v SSU! Is it September 4th yet?
6. Speaking of sports--I've become an ESPN Radio junkie. Who woulda thunk it?
7. It's hot down here. It's SOOOO hot. It's heat that angers you. Like 85 degrees after the sun goes down. GRRRRR.
8. The Goos and I played racquetball twice this week. My RAC fee at work.
9. Risk. It's the difference between the Haves and the Havenots...well...that and money. Think it's time for me to take a few.
10. I went to the SCAD page and got slightly depressed, overwhelmed, intimidated. Sometimes I want a do-over...LOVED my college experience, LOVE my Eagles, but yeah...just sayin'
11. Salt was a C. Inception was an A.
12. Finally finished reading Strange Fruit and a few critical essays/articles on Richard Wright's Black Boy. Strange Fruit is a fantastic read! Run to your local library and work it out!
13. Speaking of Strange Fruit, here's Billie Holiday singing Strange Fruit.
14. Saw an old classmate today at Wal-Mart. G mentioned something about our 10 year reunion. She commented quickly about not going...He wanted to know why. I interrupted him and said, "She just doesn't want to go." Later for the whiny stories about what people did to you when we were all kids...stay home then. BUT more on this later. Can't front like I'm not a little iffy myself...maybe for other reasons, but iffy nonetheless.
15. It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to...
16. *poof*

Newness

We're blowing this Popsicle stand in less than 72 hours. Most of the large furniture is in storage. The worst part  cleaning is in the works for tomorrow. I'm a semi-happy camper. 

We're at the stage when things pop up. The extra books in the closet, when the "books" boxes are already taped and stored a mile away in a 10 x 12 unit. An extra hanger here, a wedding card there, a bank statement over there. GRRRR. I'm almost certain I've learned my lesson on not throwing things away and putting things in their place. The next 6 months will be used to discipline myself to be a neater person. 

I will say that Dave Ramsey would be pleased with our decision to move into a smaller, less expensive place. He'd probably scream at us if he knew we were only moving so we could continue our home search. He'd lecture us on how we should pay off ALL debt and stack bread. We may do just that if we save enough money. We're even thinking of living on one paycheck and banking the other for a few months (just to see if we can do it). I'm sure we'll break though.

In other news, the Goos is officially "Coach G!" He's teaching English and coaching basketball at a school in a neighboring county. So proud of him!

There is newness in the air. Much needed change.

The Return of Fresh Faced

Wanted to give an update on Fresh Faced. She and another Jehovah's Witness visited my house about two months ago. Can you believe she came back? How dope is that? Read more about our first encounter here.

I was in the closet sorting through an old box, throwing away tapes and papers. Can you believe I had an Animal Farm report from my 11th grade Honors English class? I'm sure I'm destined to be on Hoarders. I don't know if I've kept it because I'm a fan of dystopias or because I think someone, some day will want to read my brilliant 16 year old musings on the clear parallels between the story and the Bolshevik Revolution...

Anyway, the dogs start going crazy, as usual. Warren is home this time, so I ask him if someone's outside.

"I think it's some J-Dubs," he replies.

Once again, I'm thoroughly unprepared for company, both mentally and physically, but I jump up and throw some jeans on.

Warren is standing at the door, warmly welcoming our visitors. I peek around his tall frame and see her. It's Fresh Faced!

"Hi!," I beam.

Her smile is as wide as mine. It's almost as if we're old friends who haven't seen each other in a while. I see another woman approaching from my left side.

"This is my mother."

We greet each other and away we go...

We talk for about two hours. We cover everything from the reality of hell to the deity of Christ, from the 144,000 to Paradise Earth. While Warren and Mother discuss a passage in Revelation, I take advantage of a few moments to talk to Fresh Faced with little interruption from Mother. I tell her how I prayed she'd return. How I blogged about her. She smiles that shy smile, barely making eye contact. She agrees with me that the Lord led her back. LOL...We have our own ideas as to why. She's supposed to convince me that Jesus isn't divine, how he died on a stake and about "the kingdom." I'm supposed to tell her about the biblical Jesus, the one whose good news is of "first importance" according to Paul.

I tell her I understand the sacrifice she'd be making if she believed what Warren and I were telling her about Jesus and the blasphemous theology of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.

"I know you'd have to give up relationships. Your mother, your father, all your friends...I know they wouldn't talk to you anymore. You'd be treated as an outsider."

She doesn't correct me.

I thought about how difficult terrifying it would be to abandon all you've ever known. Jehovah's Witnesses do not closely associate with anyone who is not a part of the organization. Imagine growing up in it! Her mother was baptized in 1983. FF has literally been in and around this cult her entire life.

Near the end, Warren tells them to check out Council of Nicea and I suggest they look into the Athanasian Creed. Aside from believing Trinitarians believe God the Father, IS God the Son (wrong), they also believe God the Holy Spirit is a force.

We exchange numbers and tell them we'll call them when we move to our new home.

"I don't think I ever got your name. My name is Gloria."

Fresh Faced looked at me, smiling. "My name is Shannon."

Pray this is the beginning of a friendship. We both really believe what we say, only thing is the gospel we preach is the gospel of Jesus Christ--the power of God for salvation. I know she came back because she thinks she can change my mind. We both have ulterior motives. May the true and only wise God be glorified through any future encounters we may have...

Love.

This is my story, this is my song...

1. I think we found a place to live! Yasssss! #bouttime
2. I'm working on something...getting back into writing. Had me reminiscing on my days in high school and my love affair with music. Ahhh...what happened to the good stuff? #iusedtoloveher
3. I remembered how dope Aquemini album was...they don't do it like that anymore...I don't even need to hear any new albums to know they don't. It's impossible. #amiallowedtosaythis
4. Okay...while I'm typing about them--EVERY album they released was ridiculous. #classic
5. I'm infatuated with hash marks and I don't even have a twitter account. #someonehelpme
6. I need about $5,000 for various reasons. Let me borrow a dollar...#please
7. Fresh faced came back! I'll have to blog on that later. Crazy right?
8. Listened to an OLD sermon on Isa. 55 today. Never gets old. Without money, without price.
9. So Warren is thinking of getting a tattoo on his 30th birthday.
10. Having a party this weekend in NC to celebrate Bobby's return from Afghanistan! I"m so excited to see my babes!
11. *poof*