I agree, but do I "Like" it?

We are blessed with such great friends who pray with and for us, even when (especially when) we can't share much information except that a need exists. 

We held a pretty big life change under wraps until we could tell my parents face-to-face, and in the intervening weeks we hinted around that change was afoot but not what it was.

Now that we finally can tell people (one-to-one at least, we're still not entirely out of radio silence... but ask me in person!), the most common response has been, "How do you feel about it?", with a strong undercurrent of "I'm with you.  I support you.  I stand by your decisions and will take whatever side of the discussion you want me to take."

To that end, I think, FB needs a "empathy "button.  It's better than a "like" button.  You click "empathy" when you like something or agree with someone or laugh along with them.  You click "empathy" when someone posts something you agree with and dislike alongside them.  You click "empathy" when prayer is needed.  When a friend is hurting.  When there is injustice. 

I'd hammer out danger

I'd hammer out a warning

I'd hammer out love between 

my brothers and my sisters

All over this land.

We are so blessed by our pray-ers.  Thank you.

Our children's ministry director, under whom I've taught 2nd/3rd long enough that my first crop of 3rd graders are college juniors, asked me to send a list of requests for the kids to pray with us in junior worship.  I told her to tell the kids that I believe they are not the church of the future, they are the church now. 

Life Lessons: Blinky Sneakers

Note to self: If the room is going to be dark, the shoes shouldn't blink.

It should first be pointed out that I can wear kid-sized sneakers. And kid shoes cost significantly less than adult shoes. And I have no problems being frugal, although I try not to be cheap. It's all about value.

I remember, when blinky sneakers first came out, one of my friends in a similar situation actually whited out the lights on her kid-sized sneakers, to make them look like they were adult sneakers. I don't think there's any way to make the lights stop, and with the delightful energy efficiency and longevity of LEDs, it's almost a guarantee that the sneakers will wear out before the lights die.

Maybe we need sneakers with an on-off switch?¹ Like for in the theater? For those days when I bring a 2yo who loves to dance to a dance recital? Good thing we were sitting in row EE and were surrounded by friends.<sup>3

1</sup> And what ever happened to lace-themselves sneakers? Michael J Fox, Nike, two years! 1985 + 30 years = 2015². Tick tock.
² All other dates are photoshopped, even though the meme persists. The DeLorean went 30 years back in time and 30 years forward in time. Yes, it could have been programmed for any day ever, but in the movie, Doc set it for 30 years in each direction.
³ By contrast, when similar happened to my friends at the planetarium, the guide stopped the narrative cold to "request", "Will the parents whose kid is wearing blinky shoes please take the shoes off?"

C has been dancing two years with Studio 91, and delightedly told me today that next year, she's taking both ballet AND tap.

A girl and her faithful supporters.

And presiding over her celebratory lunch afterwards.


Comparing the girl and her groupies this year and last year: