apparently i am destined to never win the batting title

i have been trying for quite some time to get to the batting cage. it's no fun to go alone, though, and since i know my sister and nieces want to go, i've been trying to go with them. try #1 - it was closed. try #2 - work/school schedules colided. but then yesterday i was all excited because it was finally going to work out.

try #3 - i got rear-ended as i waited at the light to turn into the batting cage parking lot. a car ran into the car behind me which then ran into me.
we pulled into the parking lot and waited for the cop. my only thought was, 'oh for pete's sake - i'm this close! can't i just go bat until the cop comes?' apparently, though, the other women were thinking other things. the woman in the first car was feeling horrible and also feeling very scared that they were going to haul her off to jail for driving without insurance. the woman in the middle car was thinking of ways to sue the butt off the first woman. (when the first lady asked her if she was ok, her response was 'we'll let my lawyer determine that.' charming woman.)

i felt very bad for the first woman. she was so scared to begin with, and i'm sure the other woman made it that much worse. she asked me if i would go talk with the second woman for her. i tried, but she had no interest in saying a word to anybody. and then it seemed like it took forever for the cop to get there. i'm sure a fender bender with no one hurt (yet - the second woman was talking with her lawyer as we were waiting there, so i'm sure by now she's quite injured) wasn't at the top of the priority list, though. so we had to wait.
as we were waiting, i noticed a Jesus bumper sticker on the first woman's car. later, when she again said she didn't know what to do, i told her that i had said a prayer for her. she suddenly lit up with hope, and asked 'are you a Christian?'
'yes.'
'i am, too!'

she then went back to worrying, but i think she felt it reassuring to have a sister there with her. obviously, me being a Christian didn't change the fact that she didn't have insurance and that the second woman was sue-happy, but i think it did help to know that she wasn't alone.
the cop finally came and checked everything out. (and, random side note, he kind of looked like my cousin.) he talked with the second woman first and sent her on her way, then came and told me that he was just going to give the first woman a ticket for not having insurance. she had been standing by my car, and as she then started toward her own car to talk to the cop, i gave her a hug and told her that God has the situation figured out.

i really don't mind that it happened. no, i don't like that there's a crack in my bumper. no, i don't like that now i have to deal with insurance stuff. no, i really don't like that the second woman is going to go after the first woman for all she can. and no, i don't like that i missed my time at the batting cage. but i feel like it was a ministry opportunity that God put in my path, and that for once i actually saw it and took advantage of it. the first woman needed someone there who was kind and gracious, and i feel like for once, that was me.

also looking for ideas on how to keep 3 frighteningly active (read 'horrid') boys reined in for two hours a week

sadly, i don't think i'm allowed to tie them to chairs with jump ropes

what should i make for the superbowl party?

i'm supposed to bring a dessert. any ideas?

dear mr. (or is it ms. - i honestly can't tell) sitting next to me,

please stop chewing your gum so loudly.
sincerely,
lucy

lacrosse

i'm pretty sure the whole point is to hit people with sticks. (at least that was all that happened in the little bit i saw on tv.) what a great game. :)

okay, fine, i can't complain

"...the record for most wretched inhabited place ever, must surely go to Langdon, North Dakota, which in the winter of 1935-1936 recorded 176 consecutive days of below freezing temperatures, including 67 consecutive days in which the temperature fell below 0°F (i.e., into the shrieking brass monkey zone) for at least part of the day and 41 consecutive days when the temperature did not rise above 0°F.
"Just to put this in perspective, 176 days is the span of time between Christmas and midsummer. Personally, I would find it very hard to spend 176 consecutive days in North Dakota at any time, but I guess that is another matter." - Bill Bryson, I'm a Stranger Here Myself

i've really had nothing to post this week

i've worked, i've tried my hardest to stay inside and not freeze my tooshie off, and i've shoveled. today i had church, and tonight i have Bible study, so i guess that's something, but for the most part it's been chick flicks and tea. it's nice every once in awhile, but i'm so ready for this winter to be over!

i was so scared!

i was watching the football game yesterday, and oh my goodness, scary scary man!

he had red eyes; so help me, red eyes!

and i thought, no, i must have seen that wrong.

and then they showed him again.

red eyes!!!

what on earth is wrong with this picture?

i've been wanting a blizzard for a week (i have a buy one get one coupon), and no one will go with me. what's with that?

i forgot to post this before, but it's good

[i meant to post this back when it was the actual devotional of the day, but didn't have time, and then prodeeded to forget. it's talking about mary and her response when the angel tells her she will bear Jesus.]

"In an attitude of humble submission she says, “Yes, Lord. I’m yours. Do what you want with my life.” Not begrudgingly. Not unwillingly. Not fearfully. But with a heart that recognizes the right of her Sovereign to decide the course of her life, she lovingly embraces His call, honored that He would choose her. She proclaims the grace of God as she contemplates what this will mean." - Bev Sparling, Baseball Chapel Women's Devotional

and the prayer Bev wrote out:
"Lord God, as you guide me into your will, please empower me through your Spirit to respond as Mary did – in loving submission, honored to be chosen to stand for you in obedience. Help me to recognize the grace you extend to me, not only in my salvation, but also in my life – blessed to be called your child."