I'll Take She Loathes for 20

This Category Meme (which I pinched from Flippant) is a long one (102 items), but worth the read . . . IF you are curious, have time, and/or want to know more about me.

I have lived...

1. in California – southern, midstate and Sacramento area. I was born 3 months early in the Queen of Angels hospital in Los Angeles. My mom was so frazzled when it came time to take me home from the hospital, she forget the paperwork and had to go back. When my grandma Ruby called to see what the hold up was, Mom said, “I had to go back home to get papers for that @%$# baby.”

2. in a co-ed dorm at Linfied College, Oregon. Back then I didn’t have freckles I had rust spots.

3. in fear because I knew the boogey man under my bed really came in through the window. I had this fear until my late 30’s.

4. in Anchorage, Alaska – where I learned how to ice skate at recess, got my tongue frozen-stuck on the tether ball pole, slept-walked into the woods near our house and caught my first fish (a rainbow trout).

5. in Texas – I hated that we moved away Dec. of of my Junior year. I really, REALLY wanted to be on the 100 member Dixie Darling team. On my 16th birthday, some of my friends gave me a racy, very indiscreet magazine during spanish class. I turned so red and scolded my friends so loudly, I GOT caught and sent to the principle’s office. 3 days before my 16th bd, I became a Christian.

6. in Canada. That’s where we moved in Dec of 1975. I once lost my boyfrind while the two of us were riding on a skidoo across the lake. I couldn’t go back and find him because I also lost my contacts. Well, really a friend drank them, but that’s another story. Our first week in Ft. MacMurray, Alberta, we met a girlfriend (Louise) I knew when we lived . . .

7. in Puerto Rico. Louise and I first met in Junior High (middle school for you younger readers) at a private school in Ponce. I wore a blue plaid uniform which I loved. My first day of junior high I was so nervous I stuttered all day. I also lost my shorts because I was throwing them up and down – on one toss I miscalutated and they went over the wall (which didn’t go the ceiling) landing right on top of the librarian’s desk.

8. in New York on the shores of Lake Champlain. I was in preschool then and liked to climb on things. Back then, they didn’t chain down or cement the multi-tiered candy machines. I climbed on one and it fell right on top of me. On the ride, in the ambulance, to the emergency room, I didn’t say one thing. Sure sign of something wrong! Turns out, I was just scared stiff (and silent).

9. longer than both my parents – whom I miss very much.

10. long enough to know that dinosaurs are real and that pluto (the planet) isn’t.

10a. in England. I learned how to drive a stickshift (traumatic experince) on the left side of the road (no big deal). It was the almost perfect place to live in terms of beauty, history, neighborhood layout, and proximity to the ocean. I wish I appreciated it more then.

I have witnessed . . .

11. the wonder of the birth of two of my nieces. So awesome. I even got to cut the cord for one of them. The daddy declined and I volunteered so quickly, I startled the doctor. But I wasn’t going to let that opportunity pass.
12. the salvation and the baptism of my two children. I cried tears of joy at both occassions.
13. the powerful, majestic beauty of a glacier.
14. the healing touch from God for my depression (after suffering for decades).
15. door-to-door for an all town evangelistic event in Ft. MacMurray.
16. the destructive nature of unforgiveness, anger and hate.
17. God’s redeeming power changing people from what they were (dead & defeated) to what they are – victorious, glorious, Saints.
18. how easy it is to believe bad things about a person without checking out if it’s true.
19. sacrificial love to selfish grabbing in a matter of hours in the same person – sometimes it’s me.
20. the excitement of my children when they believed that the sound they heard in the loch was really Nessie.

I have heard. . .

21. music that inspired me and depressed me.
22. a cuckoo bird (in England).
23. God’s still voice.
24. precious vows: “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
25. disallusionment pronouncement: “This marriage between x and y is now hereby dissolved.”
26. my children’s first words. Tim said ball and Elizabeth said Mama.
27. baby belly laugher and then HAD to laugh myself.
28. screams of dispair.
29. worship so Spirit-led the Angels HAD to be there. In fact, I kept my eyes closed because I was truly afraid to open them to see the angels. I then understood why every encounter (in the Bible) between an angel and human started with the angel saying, “Don’t be afraid.”
30. God’s delight in me and the affirmation that I am His, forever.

I have lost . . .

31. my car in multiple parking lots. That’s why I was so pleased that my present car has a panic beeper button.
32. my keys, cell phone, purse and tv remote more times than I can count. In fact, the remote is still lost.
33. my day-to-day and long term memory. Is there anything left?
34. the ability to be childlike and spontaneous.
35. interest in reading comics.
36. time engrossed in a good book or walking along the beach.
37. all shame when it comes to talking about my kiddos, nieces or ministry. I am, with God's help, losing all my shame from the past.
38. patience with my children when they younger. That is one of my biggest regrets.
39. track of what is happening in LOST.
40. my best friend.

I have found . . .

41. eternal salvation.
42. $300 on the floor of the Reno airport.
43. my church.
44. I like living alone – even though I get scared at night sometimes.
45. it is still hard for me to NOT be a people-pleaser.
46. I LOVE working on a team.
47. out that the internet has amazing troves of treasures and can keep me up way too late, way too often.
48. the ice cream in the shower, the remote in the freezer, and the phone in the car (it’s not a cell phone either).
49. peace amidst turmoil.
50. there is life after love (and divorce).

I love . . . (God, family and friends go without saying.)

51. my neighbor and friend from Engalnd, Jo. Although I had moved scores of times previously, this was my first majour move as an adult. It was scary. Jo and her family became our family.
52. thinking up new ideas for Women's Ministry to do.
53. how God loves me even though He knows ALL about me.
54. beautiful houses in beautiful neighborhoods.
55. walking on the beach.
56. eating dessert first.
57. America.
58. discovering God’s will for me.
59. studying & researching on all topics, but especially the Bible.
60. my memories, even the not so pleasant ones because they contributed to who I am today.
60a. that Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed anti-family bills AB 606 and AB 1056.


I can . . .

61. finish seminary despite an unpromising start.
62. make a funny fish face.
63. do all things through Christ.
64. reach my God-given goals.
65. be a good sport even after making a fool of myself. Come to CNC’s FEST on Oct 6 to see me compete in a DDR competition.
66. be too serious too much of the time.
67. encourage others well.
68. conquer my fear of public speaking.
69. be guillible.
70. eat in a restaurant by myself and enjoy it.

I loath . . .

71. pornography because it dehumanizes the subjects and destroys the lookers. I’ve seen it happen.
72. black widow spiders. When I see one I get all shivery.
73. legalism.
74. music that has high, shrilly parts - it hurts my ears and I can’t think.
75. people believing lies about themselves, others, and God.
76. going to the dentist and eye doctor.
77. paying tax hikes when so much of our money is ill spent.
78. desceptive advertising.
79. junk email.
80. seeing satan win any battles.

I hope . . .

81. to see my departed, believing family and friends in heaven. (This hope I have is the certain kind, not the wish kind).
82. I can get my MA by the end of 2008.
83. my kiddos find peace, meaning, & love in Christ soon.
84. I’ll keep in touch with my WJU classmates.
85. to go on a mission trip.
86. to work overseas.
87. to someday buy myself a cherry red convertible.
88. I am a gentle, wise, encouraging leader.
89. to create and maintain a lifestyle that has margin.
90. I’ll paint my room (purple) before Christmas.

I am trying . . .

91. to clean out the garage.
92. to memorize Scripture. Since I’ve lost my memory this is a tricky one.
93. to not let my fears make choices for me.
94. discern how to be a good mom to adult children.
95. to visit my kiddos in San Francisco.
96. to make exercise a priority.
97. to get my photos in order.
98. learn spanish.
99. write letters (by hand) more often.
100. to figure out how to LIVE as a single woman.

Now, who to tag? Whoever has enough time and words to do this. You can even pick just one category to fill in. Be sure to linkback or leave a message here to let me know you did this.