Ramblings

Hello Again, Hello

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

So I have neglected you, I know. And it makes me want to spring out in song, warbling Neil Diamond’s song from “The Jazz Singer”…..

“Hello again, hello. Just called to say: hello. I couldn’t sleep at all tonight And I know it’s late, but I couldn’t wait. Hello..

Well, except it’s early in the morning, I really COULD sleep and resent a bit that I have to get up to get ready for work, and who calls nowadays? LOL Yeah, crazy.

But anyway, I am alive – although this blog would not be a strong indication of that. I need to post my annual reference to Josh as well, who turned TEN on 9/20. TEN! Sheesh! How the heck did THAT happen? And I guess there have been lots of analysis on life, God, and relationships running through my head, so I can feel there is a serious blog or two coming soon……but that comes later…….

I have been sick (kidney infection followed by head cold), traveling (Oklahoma City for work and Paris, Arkansas with the fam), working (well THAT ebbs and flows, you know?), playing the drums at church, watching football (except I fell asleep with 2 minutes left of the Bears/GB game SERIOUSLY), watching the kids play sports (Zack/Soph soccer and Kenny baseball), texting/skyping with Kirstie as she moved from California to Nebraska, and somehow always feeling like I am behind the eight ball or lacking sleep. Not sure why that is. 🙂

I REALLY hope I can have ONE weekend where I actually can do NOTHING, but yeah that’s probably not gonna happen soon. I will manage though.

So what’s new with you, my 2.78 readers? Drop me a comment sometime. And with that, I am changing the song to “Goodbye, My Friend, Goodbye!”

Lying Does Not Behoove You

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Everyone lies, let’s face it.  There are times when someone asks how they look in an outfit or if they look fat, etc – THOSE are the times when I’d probably suggest the truth may not always be optimal.  Or, in situations such as those who lied to the Nazis to protect innocent Jews.  Commendable.

However, we humans seem to be able to lie about pretty much anything, especially if it is to make ourselves look better or to cover our butts.  For example, have you ever lied about traffic on the way to work to explain why you were late instead of admitting you totally overslept?  Or you “suggest” that you have way more money in the bank than you do, or maybe buy things on credit that you can’t really afford just to appear successful.

“What?!” you ask, “you’re telling me THAT is lying?!?!!?!”  Yes, yes I am .

I don’t mean to JUDGE per se, for pete sakes I have done both of the above – if not recently, but does that matter?  I am a liar, I have lied (based on the above) on many occasions in my life.  So please take this post a an analysis of sorts more than a judgment of you or anyone else.

Why do we do this?  Why do we pretend to be something or someone we’re not?  Why do we choose to lie about silly things like being late instead of taking the consequence for mistakes, even it we didn’t intend to oversleep?  Why do we think we have to tell people what they want to hear in hopes of being accepted by them instead of telling the truth and seeing where the chips fall?  And why do “little lies” fall right off our backs day after day with no thought or guilt or pondering?

The last point is what concerns me the most.  And yet we parents tell our kids that they need to tell the truth, even as we model a whole different world…….

Yesterday, a friend acknowledged a very BIG truth about themselves that had attached to it A LOT of room for many of us to reject him.  He took a huge stand to have integrity, to live in the truth.  And you know what happened?  Well, nothing.  We accepted his truth, we didn’t stop loving him, in fact (for me) it made me love him a bit more.  And that got me to thinking – do I REALLY think the truth really brings shame?  Really?  NO!  I do admit that many people can’t handle the truth, and have lost many “a friend” who have heard of my homosexuality.  I still get told on occasion that I can’t be gay AND a Christian.  Alas, I am reminded that living in THE TRUTH is WAY better than lying to anyone, especially those that only loved me because I fit the mold they wanted me to live in.

So, anyway, I better get ready for work.  Don’t want to be late, especially since I’d have to tell them I am was writing a blog about honesty instead of getting ready and then, well…………

Gina OUT.

Wax Philosophical……

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Not really, at least I am prefacing this that I may NOT be very philosophical in this post.  Perhaps the INTENTIONS are there, but it’s been a while since I’ve written here and I’ve been known to ramble.  Plus, I did something to my left thumb and it hurts to type, so we shall see!

First Waxing – the whole Prop 8 thing in California.  Now, I know MANY (if not most) of my friends (especially those who have incorporated faith into their lives) were for Prop 8.  I can understand that, and it is not my intention to debate your stance or mine.  I just wanted to share some points that I have pondered this week.

First of all, I read this amazing article and it brought up some thoughts I haven’t – for example, it doesn’t surprise me that the Catholic Church is for Prop 8 and that they were disappointed that it was found as unconstitutional.  However, this article points out that the Catholic Church also does not acknowledge marriages outside of the church (something which was affirmed in my OWN life when my parents sought to be married in the church after getting married in Vegas), yet they don’t demand that these unrecognized marriages stop receiving social security benefits, etc.  Yet, that’s what they are demanding for gays and lesbians.  Hear me – I am a Christian and my faith is in Christ, but when I pay taxes to my government, that is a secular law and one which Jesus said I should do……but it is not related to Jesus.  I feel the same about marriage; if I have to pay taxes and my neighbor can marry wife #4 and get all this and that through the government, but I can’t…..how is that right?  And this ruling WAS right based on the constitution.  If the Catholic Church chooses to not recognize gay marriage, that is their right.  But they have no control over the constitution.  And if you find gay marriage morally wrong, don’t do it!  Just like I have a friend that finds it morally wrong to re-marry after a divorce and therefore has remained single, but doesn’t force her friends to do the same even though her friends share the same faith.

ANYHOW……….

Deana started her job this past week and she LOVES it.  She is working in HR for the City of Dallas – her department has 4 employees and they support over 13,000!  I am very proud of her and she is gonna rock!  This job is a direct – I said DIRECT – answer to prayer!  Our prayer lives have really grown since joining Crossroads and it has taken on a life beyond anything Deana and I have experienced before.  In this case, we asked for a positive email the next day and BAM!, Deana received one stating she had made the first review in the application process.  Then, we prayed that she would get a call by the next week and BAM!, she did!  Now the interview process was intimidating; she had to have a 15 minute, Power Point presentation covering four topics, including HR Benefits.  She freaked out a little, especially since I had to leave for a business trip and she felt I could help her.  But she did it on her own and did a great job.  Prayers from all over Dallas were being raised, she did a GREAT job during the interview, and received an offer THE NEXT DAY!  THAT is unheard of when dealing with municipal agencies!  Now, let me be clear – this is NOT a story of how great we are at praying……this is about the Faithfulness of Jesus!  HE made this work out PERFECTLY!  To hear Deana’s take on this miracle, check out her post here.

I, for one, have been struggling a bit with my own job.  I swing between being loyal to being beat up and unmotivated.  I feel as though the Lord is telling me to be faithful to Him and He will lead me.  So I am trying to do that and not focus on all the things I could complain about – here on this blog or otherwise!  I WOULD like to travel less, that’s for dang sure!

On that note, I have expended the full amount of non-pain movement for my thumb, so this post will have to end.  I hope all of my 2.78 readers have a fantastic weekend!

Gina OUT

Howdy, I’m Still Alive

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Just got back from another business trip.  TIRED.  So bullet points will have to do.

  • Happy 40th Birthday Deana!  I love you!
  • Working 4 days of 13+ hours tires you out!
  • God has been blessing me and the family directly – more on that later!
  • Prop 8 was ruled as unconstitutional 8/4/10 – controversial but right.  More on that later, too!
  • I’ve been reminded this week about how amazing a family I have.  My Dad, my Mom, my siblings, Deana, the kids……
  • Gracie is still missing.

More later and blessings to you all!  (All 2.78 of you!)

Gina out

What To Say????

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

I’ve posted blogs like this before, but I’VE BUSY SUPER BUSY!!!  I’ve been traveling a lot for work, working long hours even when I am home, doing this and doing that, and before I know it……..I realize it’s been forever since I’ve posted to this blog.  So, I am approaching critical mass – I feel pressure to write something here, still don’t have much time, and am not really sure what to write about!  So, I am going to be relying heavily on the “Just Rambling” theme!

First of all, I want to post a shout out – yesterday, July 21st and 10:40pm PDT, my nephew Lucas David Minard was born!  He is son to my brother David and his wife Diana and I am overjoyed!  I will post a pic (hopefully) soon!  Incidentally, July 21st is ALSO the birthday of my brother Gary’s son, Chris, who turned 18!  It was a stellar day!

Work has been BUSY.  I have traveled to Oklahoma City once and Austin twice, and I have at least one more trip to Austin in a couple weeks.  I’ve always imagined business traveling would be prestigeous, but it actually is very tiring.  And being away from my family is not my favorite.  But I still love what I do!

God has been doing some amazing things in my life as of late.  Deana and I, along with the kids, have found an amazing church home and have made some really amazing friends there.  We feel blessed every moment!  And from that, we have made some amazing connections and we are excited to see what the Lord has planned for us!

Gracie is still missing and, in many ways, I am heartbroken.  While I am not sobbing every moment, there IS a big hole that she used to fill and I don’t think it will every go away.  I have not given up hope that she will be reunited with us, but I also am trying to be practical.  But I miss her very, very much and can’t imagine never seeing her again.

Wylie, the kitten we got, has also struggled with Gracie’s departure – he lost his playmate.  He has used our legs as a replacement to Gracie a bit during this time, but has calmed down a little and has connected with me and Sophia.  He doesn’t have the exuberance of Gracie (he’s a cat, afterall!) but he does make me smile on occasion!

Well, I probably have more to write but now need to get ready for work!  Hope this blog finds you healthy and happy!

Gina OUT!

Um, Does This Mean Morning People Rock?!?!

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Deana sent me this article for two reasons; 1) she knows I like to learn things in general and 2) I am a morning person.  I have always been a morning person and it has made people laugh on occasion.  If I had my druthers, I would be in bed by 9pm every night and would naturally wake between 5 and 6 each morning.  Obviously, I stay up later than that and I have also slept in later as well.  But my NATURAL reactions pull me back to my optimum times………

But, other than knowing this, I really haven’t thought about it much.  I have been around night people mostly, who can stay up until 2am with no problem, even THRIVE in doing so.  And they are cool, too.  But maybe the fact that my career has been pretty okay even without a degree until 2007 has something to do with my being a morning person?  And I probably received that trait from my Dad, who also appears to be a morning person.

Whatever the case may be, I have taken this away from the article – Morning People Rock!  🙂

Blessings Abound

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

So, as often is the case with us stubborn and inadequate humans, we focus on the wrong things.  Our finances, our aches and pains, conflicts in our lives…..the list goes on.  Too often, we are so focused on these things, we lose sight of the beauty and miracles that surround us!  I fall within this area quite often.  So, today, I am taking the time to focus on all that God has done for me and mine………

  • I HAVE mentioned this before, but I will state it again – my current job was a direct answer to prayer.  It was miraculous how the timing was perfect, and I love it.  No amount of time goes by that doesn’t remind me how amazing God is when I consider this.
  • God provided a means to allow me, the kids, and Deana to have our current home.  This was a HUGE miracle and believe me when I say, if it weren’t for direct blessings from the Lord, it would not have happened.
  • Kirstie was laid off from CVS in April.  She also needed to find a new place to live.  She has no immediate family in California with her.  But we prayed and God’s response was better than ANYTHING we could have believed.  Kirstie found a new apartment, then received a call from a different CVS offering her a job.  And said job?  RIGHT next to her new apartment!  Walking distance!  And even more than that, her first week she got 40 hours!  THAT never happened at her other CVS!  Thank you Lord!
  • Deana finished her teaching credential program and is now certified to teach in Texas.  That is a HUGE blessing and a wonderful accomplishment.  Now, we are asking the Lord to provide the perfect job, JUST in time when her unemployment benefits expire!
  • We, as a family, have been blessed by our new church.  In the short time we’ve attended, we have received amazing friendships.  Further, we have all been fed spiritually, which has girded us up for the trials we have had to face in recent weeks.
  • One day this week, while I was driving to work, I was contemplating the issues with my health, the impact all my hospital bills were having on my budget, and such items.  Usually, these thoughts would create great anxiety in me and it would affect every aspect of my life.  And, not to minimize the concern – it definitely is there.  However, it hit me that I felt complete peace.  COMPLETE!  And that seemed remarkable to me.  And I attest that this can only be attributed to my God.

The list goes on and on, but suffice it to say, God is Good, all the time!

Recap of Fantastic

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

“Fantastic” – an interesting word.  Merriam-Webster has three definitions for the word:

1 a : based on fantasy : not real b : conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained fancy c : so extreme as to challenge belief : unbelievable; broadly : exceedingly large or great
2 : marked by extravagant fantasy or extreme individuality : eccentric
3 fantastic : excellent, superlative <a fantastic meal>

This WAS NOT a fantasy weekend – that would have included sunflower seeds, some wine and/or alcohol, more time with my family, and maybe even an ocean.  And, honestly, Justin Timberlake did NOT cross my mind.  So, one is out.

There WAS NOT lots of extravagance this weekend; I worked most of Saturday (alas, in my pajamas!), was lazy, waited for Deana to finish the last class of her teaching program, and ate in my comfy chair.  So, two is out.

Yet, even with no fantasy or extravagant influences, my weekend WAS excellent, superlative in that it surpassed other (especially most recent) weekends in my history.  And perhaps you will think it is a bit silly, but here is why:

  • I was surrounded by family for MOST of the weekend.  That included celebrating Michael’s 21st birthday on Saturday, adding my church family on Sunday, and including my extended family known as the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.  (Too bad the last didn’t include a win!)
  • My dog follows me all around, no matter what.  Not that THIS is anything new, but this weekend it just touched my heart.  She was especially attentive.
  • My church family is AMAZING!  We had a beautiful service and the kids even recited their memorized Bible verse in front of the entire church!  I was a proud mama!  Then we spent several hours fellow-shipping over lunch which was wonderful.
  • Apparently, Kenny made the All Stars on his baseball team!  That kind of rocks.
  • Although I had a few moments of pain on Sunday that made me nervous, and the bouts of fatigue I still experience on occasion, this weekend was a pretty “healthy” weekend!  Woohoo!
  • I always like when my Dad calls, which he did.

So, this might not define fantastic to you, but it sure does for me!

Gina OUT!

Learn from Me! End of Monday Humor

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

So, last Friday I had “a day”…..that ultimately led to another trip to the hospital.  And, as a 42-year-old, I had several perceptions of things that proved to be COMPLETELY WRONG.  So, being the talented, gregarious, and giving person that I am (not to mention, extremely humble!) I thought I’d share my new-found info with you, too!

The Shattered Fallacies no longer held by Gina:

  • If a doctor tells you a procedure should not cause pain, bring the pain meds anyway – you never know when the procedure will kick something else into play!
  • If you tell your doc that you’re allergic to Demerol. always ask if the meds he has prescribed is derived from Demerol OR ELSE THE RESULTS MAY BE VERY UNPLEASANT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.  (But it DOES help if you’re trying to get sympathy from the ER Nurse who has the power to administer pain meds.)
  • If you are ever in pain and you think, “hey, it will be too hard to drive to the hospital – I will call 911 and then the paramedics can give me pain meds, STAT!”, don’t bother.  They DO NOT give you pain meds!  Even if you beg.  Even if you cry.  Even if you warn them that you’re Italian and THIS CLOSE to kicking some paramedic butt!
  • If you are ever in pain and you think, “hey,I can’t drive fast and through red lights – I will call 911 and then the paramedics will turn on their sirens and get me there, STAT!”, don’t bother.  They DO NOT turn on the sirens, or drive through red lights, unless you are dying.  And excruciating pain does NOT constitute dying.  Note to self – the Italian threats are not very effective.
  • If you are ever in pain and you think, “hey, I have heard paramedics and firemen are totally hot – I will call 911 and at the very least I will see some amazing eye candy!”, don’t bother.  At least for me, every one of the paramedics were, let’s say, “robust”.  No eye candy.  Seriously!  Not even a hint.  And, quite frankly, I think they just had Mongolian for lunch because, truth be told, every one of them had BAD halitosis!

Some things I appreciate learning:

  • Paramedics are TALKATIVE during the long, slow, mellow ride.  But they DO react well to, “can we cut the chit chat?!?!!?!”
  • They are also very receptive to, “Honestly, to me, pain level of 10 means I have to concentrate, so I can’t really talk right now.”
  • Those breathing masks that cover your whole face?  They are very claustrophobic, but EXCELLENT at distracting you from your pain!  Nothing like panic to mask things!  I never thought I’d admit this, but anxiety is great therapy!
  • Morphine is, how shall I say, FREAKING AWESOME!  I think I have a crush.  Marry me, Morphine.

Okay, lame I know, but I am on drugs and all.  Gina OUT!

Maintaining Focus and Declaring Dependence

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Life has shown me over and over again that it offers many things, and apparently trials are part of that offering.  We seek from life acceptance, success, health, benefits, money, love…….no one really asks for or wants trials.  No one wants to fail.  Not many, especially me, want to NEED.  And yet, when I DO find myself in the midst of a failure, or thrown about by trials, where is my focus?  On whom do I depend?

Too often, I am immersed in the trial, or the failure, and begin to think that they define me.  I even let the situation(s) overwhelm me.  This often leads to tears, or anger, or the rising of my pride in obstinate assault against the fact that I have failed.  And yet, soon follows the acceptance of the failure, defining me in yet another light.

But do you see something here?  Where has my focus been?  What am I depending on?  Right now, all that existed in the mix was ME.  Me, such a broken vessel, drowning in my own efforts, or submerged in the mire of the trial – not quite knowing what is up or down or if there is even an end in sight.  But, my dear friends, THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH – FOR ME OR FOR YOU!

As a Christian, I often hold onto the truth, and I have been humbly but clearly reminded today that the truth is not defined by my circumstances.  The truth is not designed around my health, or my accomplishments in my career, or even by epic failures that are sure to occur in my life.

And I must confess, as a Proud American, I often demand my independence.  It is foundational to our country, and the freedoms afforded Americans feed that – and I suppose rightly so!  We are blessed by these freedoms, yet they often feed us the lie that we are dependent on no one, except maybe ourselves.

Both the view of myself and the view of my independence is flawed.

The truth always has been and always will remain this – I am a child of God, created in His image.  I must focus on Him, and declare my dependence in all things to Jesus.  I am not in control, He is.  And no efforts on my part really change that – or can conquer anything that happens around me.  Nor do trials that surround me diminish the fact that Christ blesses me over and over again in small and huge ways everyday.  Even when I am sitting in the hospital, or raging in anger, or sleeping peacefully.  Even my successes don’t take the place of Jesus……what a novel idea!  And the truth is, I need to rejoice and focus on the REAL truth!

I was reminded something today –  I often take the Bible for granted, even though it is a big part of my life.  I received a Minor in college in Biblical Studies, and although I am not a theologian by any means, the Bible has had an intimate part in my life and education.  Yet, I often forget it is a LIVING THING.  It can and should influence my heart and remind me that Jesus has “got this covered”.  Here’s some of those messages:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:  “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)

Why my dependence should be on Jesus (emphasis mine)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)

May I be reminded – and remind you as well – when the winds of problems surround me, I am NOT in control, but instead depend on my Lord.  HE will not leave me nor forsake me.  I may have trials, yes, but I can and will rejoice in the fact that He is my Truth.  I am His.  He has me in His arms.  And though I might have scapes or pains or frustrations, He is right there with me.  And the blessing of not only KNOWING that but BELIEVING that, is amazing on my focus!

And, in closing, this truth also remains – even when I am deep in my own focus on suffering or self-pity, God is faithful.  For He supplies those who pray in my stead, lifting their voices to Him when I can’t, and intercede in my behalf.  If that isn’t amazing, I don’t know what is.  And look for more posts that reflect on how God has truly been blessing me, Deana, and the kids.  One such blessing has been our new church – Crossroads Community.  Thank you Lord!