Good stuff. you might want to check it out.
NAMI | NAMI's Peer-to-Peer: A Resource for Mental Health Courts
Friday, August 24, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Hi. I don't know when I'm going to be able to get to you more regularly, and I am sorry for being so irregular. Here's what I'm thinking about today:
We've begun attending a church in the little town we've been living in for a little over a year. It's so small that the middle and high schools are in the same building, if that tells you anything. The place we moved from last had a high school building that looked like either a small city or a large penitentiary. So, after scraping by for about a year, (digging gas money out of the couch) to get to the church we'd first been going to, we finally took the leap and decided to try this other place. Considering the size of the town we're in, this church is REALLY big, but considering all the various places (to worship) I've been in my life, it's on the smaller side.
The first time I went, the Big Guy was resting on the couch after working too many hours in a row, so I walked in alone. A friend of mine from AA/NA had told me that she went there, so I looked for her. The 1st thing I noticed was that the congregation was predominantly OLLLDDD. No biggie, as far as I'm concerned, I just need some living, breathing GOD-SEEKING folks to hang with and learn from. Second thing I noticed was the music. Oh my gosh. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was in, well, in for it. I felt self-conscious for one thing, b/c I gathered that my friend was the church's Recovering Addict ; ) so anyone paying attention would be watching to see how much of a heathen I was. Ok. Well, the music.
you know that kind of nasally, quartet kinda stuff usually reserved for AM radio? Yeah, that's what it was. Not my cup of tea, to be sure, but then Brownsville's music was fairly "country", so that's not at all a deal-breaker. Hey, if GOD likes it, I reckon I can learn to. The thing is, the only time I really EVER heard that kind of music was when I was with my Dad. It immediately brought back memories of helping him build his house in Polk City, when he'd have his little AM radio blaring on what was only a slab of cement for a while, with water jugs scattered around, and him working hard with his shirt off and the manditory (for him) "hankie" (bandana) hanging out of his right rear pocket. As unmusical as he was, bless his heart ; ), Dad appreciated music more than most ppl I knew. When I'd go visit him or help for a bit, I remember the water jugs almost invariably had a touch of menthol smoke in them, from him exhaling when he'd get a drink.
So, I sat down at this church, with Dad's music playing, and I guess it caught me off guard, b/c w/in a matter of minutes, it was all I could do to not break down and bawl like a baby. Yeah, the tears were roling down my cheeks, and my friend put her arm around me & gave me a squeeze. I explained about the music being my Dad's favorite, and she shared that her Dad had also died, but he went just a few months ago. So, I'm sitting there trying to keep from dripping snot on myself or my friend, and I was grateful to have come that day. I can't remember the names of the songs they sang, for the most part, but I know one of them that Dad loved was "I've Never Been so Homesick Before". It was like he was there in the room with us. I miss him so. So, I was blessed that day, and when my Sweety came with me the next time, he really liked it, too. It had really been a long time since we'd felt the Holy Spirit like we did there.
So, Monday night we went to the "addiction/recovery" meeting class, to see if we might be able to help or if they would be something to help us. Well, that's really another post, entirely, but suffice it to say, the "Instructor" has an awfully high opinion of himself and his knowledge of, well, everything as far as I could tell. I didn't feel it necessary to inform him that I'd been clean for a little bit, and in fact was working on a degree in Addictions Counseling. And he didn't ask. I didn't appreciate the way he kept talking about how bad and ungodly the 12 step programs were (AA & NA) and he was NOT interested in anything that might have clued him in to facts that contradicted his opinion of them. For example, as he was "teaching" us, he stated that he believed that Jesus was to be our Sponsor, and that we didn't need to confess our sins to any person, just keep it between Jesus and us. Being the soft-spoken, and uneducated person that I am on this topic, I mentioned that the Bible said that we are to confess our sins "one to another", and that maybe the 12 steps had us talk to others among other reasons, to get audible feedback. Then he went into a monologue about how the NIV Bible was translated by homosexuals, and named off this one and that one...Wow. Note to self: don't let yourself be found dogging anyone or anything that you dont' know about, and even if you DO, the Word says to talk about positive (basically) things, to encourage each other, and that was NOT doing it. It was interesting, I'll give it that. Yeah, so I've gone on long enough about that. The Big Guy liked it a lot, so I'm willing to go back. At this point, we've been so far and few between when it comes to meetings, I'm willing to get whatever is available. (Still got that stinkin' thinkin' problem, ya know. But DON'T say anything to the TEACHER OF ALL THINGS BIBLICAL AND OR ADDICTIONAL.
I'm grateful that other than blowing off a little here about it, I'm not feeling the need to really share my thoughts about that deal with anyone. The guy had said after church when Big Guy was talking to him, that there were a lot of ppl who came for a few times and then never returned. "They must not have wanted the LORD..." omg.
Oh, I heard Chris Fabry on the radio earlier, and he was talking to a Pastor who's struggled with a porn addiction for many years, and wrote a book about it...It made me think of a blogger-friend who has this issue as well.
That's the heading from the radio show, if my friend should come by... E. H., I hope you're doing ok.
So, what's new wit you???
We've begun attending a church in the little town we've been living in for a little over a year. It's so small that the middle and high schools are in the same building, if that tells you anything. The place we moved from last had a high school building that looked like either a small city or a large penitentiary. So, after scraping by for about a year, (digging gas money out of the couch) to get to the church we'd first been going to, we finally took the leap and decided to try this other place. Considering the size of the town we're in, this church is REALLY big, but considering all the various places (to worship) I've been in my life, it's on the smaller side.
The first time I went, the Big Guy was resting on the couch after working too many hours in a row, so I walked in alone. A friend of mine from AA/NA had told me that she went there, so I looked for her. The 1st thing I noticed was that the congregation was predominantly OLLLDDD. No biggie, as far as I'm concerned, I just need some living, breathing GOD-SEEKING folks to hang with and learn from. Second thing I noticed was the music. Oh my gosh. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was in, well, in for it. I felt self-conscious for one thing, b/c I gathered that my friend was the church's Recovering Addict ; ) so anyone paying attention would be watching to see how much of a heathen I was. Ok. Well, the music.
you know that kind of nasally, quartet kinda stuff usually reserved for AM radio? Yeah, that's what it was. Not my cup of tea, to be sure, but then Brownsville's music was fairly "country", so that's not at all a deal-breaker. Hey, if GOD likes it, I reckon I can learn to. The thing is, the only time I really EVER heard that kind of music was when I was with my Dad. It immediately brought back memories of helping him build his house in Polk City, when he'd have his little AM radio blaring on what was only a slab of cement for a while, with water jugs scattered around, and him working hard with his shirt off and the manditory (for him) "hankie" (bandana) hanging out of his right rear pocket. As unmusical as he was, bless his heart ; ), Dad appreciated music more than most ppl I knew. When I'd go visit him or help for a bit, I remember the water jugs almost invariably had a touch of menthol smoke in them, from him exhaling when he'd get a drink.
So, I sat down at this church, with Dad's music playing, and I guess it caught me off guard, b/c w/in a matter of minutes, it was all I could do to not break down and bawl like a baby. Yeah, the tears were roling down my cheeks, and my friend put her arm around me & gave me a squeeze. I explained about the music being my Dad's favorite, and she shared that her Dad had also died, but he went just a few months ago. So, I'm sitting there trying to keep from dripping snot on myself or my friend, and I was grateful to have come that day. I can't remember the names of the songs they sang, for the most part, but I know one of them that Dad loved was "I've Never Been so Homesick Before". It was like he was there in the room with us. I miss him so. So, I was blessed that day, and when my Sweety came with me the next time, he really liked it, too. It had really been a long time since we'd felt the Holy Spirit like we did there.
So, Monday night we went to the "addiction/recovery"
I'm grateful that other than blowing off a little here about it, I'm not feeling the need to really share my thoughts about that deal with anyone. The guy had said after church when Big Guy was talking to him, that there were a lot of ppl who came for a few times and then never returned. "They must not have wanted the LORD..." omg.
Oh, I heard Chris Fabry on the radio earlier, and he was talking to a Pastor who's struggled with a porn addiction for many years, and wrote a book about it...It made me think of a blogger-friend who has this issue as well.
Chris Fabry Live! - Know Your Bible // A Pastor's Journey Through Sex Addiction
Air Date August 23, 2012
That's the heading from the radio show, if my friend should come by... E. H., I hope you're doing ok.
So, what's new wit you???
Friday, August 10, 2012
August
Greetings friends and fam!
This is the first time in over a month that I've taken the time to leave you a note. I apologise. The littler of my boys has begun the 6th grade, which in this small town, means he's now in the HIGH SCHOOL. I suppose there are some hallways that seperate the high schoolers from the middle schoolers-they're in the same building-but, really, I'm not thrilled about it. I know. "Let the boy grow up! Let him be! Stop hovering!!" Shut up. As my last little bird, I do almost consciously have to remind myself every day that he's growing up. Right before my eyes. DARNIT!
The elder of my 2 boys has had as exciting a summer as he ever has, I believe. After rebelling against..."what have you got"? (No, it's not that bad, but sometimes it seemed like it), He began working. Oh, but work wasn't till after he'd flunked the (ALL OF THEM?) classes he was taking @ the local community college.
First it was at a Graphic Design place. (Lasted a few months, I think.) Then at a factory, where the fumes made him sick-possible. (Lasted a week or so.) And lastly, at the restaurant where the Big Guy works. Oh, yeah, now he's quit there and about to have Orientation working at WalMart.
<sigh> I don't even want to start on how many ways I see MY OWN teenage thinking in him. When I reflect back, I'm just astounded at my self-centeredness, impatience and real lack of any kind of motivation to WORK. He talks occasionally about a car, but doesn't have his license yet. At 19. His gf is a very industrious girl, was working 3 jobs this time last year, and going to school. Now she's down to one job that pays a little better, and still working hard at school. I expect her to see the pattern he's developed any time, and dump him. Of course, he's thinking of proposing. No....NO DISFUNCTION running through our families!!
Now you have a tiny idea of why I haven't been here lately. Oh! Here's another reason:
This is the first time in over a month that I've taken the time to leave you a note. I apologise. The littler of my boys has begun the 6th grade, which in this small town, means he's now in the HIGH SCHOOL. I suppose there are some hallways that seperate the high schoolers from the middle schoolers-they're in the same building-but, really, I'm not thrilled about it. I know. "Let the boy grow up! Let him be! Stop hovering!!" Shut up. As my last little bird, I do almost consciously have to remind myself every day that he's growing up. Right before my eyes. DARNIT!
The elder of my 2 boys has had as exciting a summer as he ever has, I believe. After rebelling against..."what have you got"? (No, it's not that bad, but sometimes it seemed like it), He began working. Oh, but work wasn't till after he'd flunked the (ALL OF THEM?) classes he was taking @ the local community college.
First it was at a Graphic Design place. (Lasted a few months, I think.) Then at a factory, where the fumes made him sick-possible. (Lasted a week or so.) And lastly, at the restaurant where the Big Guy works. Oh, yeah, now he's quit there and about to have Orientation working at WalMart.
<sigh> I don't even want to start on how many ways I see MY OWN teenage thinking in him. When I reflect back, I'm just astounded at my self-centeredness, impatience and real lack of any kind of motivation to WORK. He talks occasionally about a car, but doesn't have his license yet. At 19. His gf is a very industrious girl, was working 3 jobs this time last year, and going to school. Now she's down to one job that pays a little better, and still working hard at school. I expect her to see the pattern he's developed any time, and dump him. Of course, he's thinking of proposing. No....NO DISFUNCTION running through our families!!
Now you have a tiny idea of why I haven't been here lately. Oh! Here's another reason:
I've been working on crafting, specifically, making logo pendants for a friend's band. There are several variations, but this is the one that turned out the best. I'm pretty sure the resin I've been using is all used up, so I might have a VERY "Limited Edition" of these babies. LOL
JUST in case I have any readers left, you can go here: ABsolutely Charming to see the entire collection, including a few that have nothing to do with a band, but they're just pretty.
Ta ta for now!
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