Random Thoughts

Joy Ride. So, you've probably heard about the 7 year-old boy who decided to take his parents' car for a ride so he wouldn't have to go to church. Sad. Thank God it wasn't more serious. He could have easily harmed himself or others. I think it was last year when another kid did the same thing, but because he was mad. I'm really wondering what goes through these kids' minds when they do stuff like that. Did he realize that what he was doing was wrong...really wrong? I know psychologically they say kids this young don't really know what they're doing, but, come on! Some of these children know exactly what they're doing. And they know the difference between right and wrong.

And the really sad thing is the child and his family were flown to NY to appear on the Today Show. I don't agree with that. What does that say to other kids? Sure, children. Steal your parents' car; put your life and the lives of others in danger; lead the police on a low-speed chase...at least you'll be invited to appear on a big-time TV show - in front of millions of people - where everyone will 'oh and ah' about how cute you are. Just my opinion...you don't have to agree with me.

Serious Issues. I'm not going to say too much about this subject because it just hurts my heart. A San Antonio mother decapitated her newborn, ate parts of his body, including his brain. She said someone or something told her to do it. Some reports say she said the devil told her to do it. This is sad, disgusting, appalling, etc. They say she wasn't in her right mind to begin with (duh). My heart hurts for that poor baby. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Happy Birthday. Ending today's post on a happy note. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL MOM. SHE'S THE BESTEST MOM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. I thank God that He's allowing me another birthday with her (cos I know our days are not promised and we won't live forever). She's the best. Love you, Mommy!

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Inspirational Sunday (on Tuesday)

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything on your own."

Proverbs 3: 5 (The Message)

Rae's Thought: This past Sunday, I watched as my sister played a little game with her Sunday school class. This game tested the students to see how much they trusted her to catch them. When it was their turn, they were to stand in front of my sister with their back facing her. When she said go, they spread their arms wide and fell straight back. Looking back or taking a step backwards meant they didn't trust her to catch them. She'd continually reassure them, saying she's got them, yet some still failed to trust her.

While watching this, I thought of the many times God has told me, "I got you, Rae" yet I still failed to trust Him. I'd either end up looking back by worrying myself sick, wondering if God will really take care of me, or I'd take a step backwards by attempting to take matters into my own hands, which would only make things worse.

God has told us many times in the Bible -including in today's passage- that we need to trust Him. He's continually reassuring us, saying, "I got you", yet it's so easy for us to worry or try to handle things on our own. Every time we look back or take a step backwards, we're not helping matters...we're actually making things worse. Jesus asks, in Matthew 6:27, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" Tell me, what good does worrying do? Can you name some pros of worrying? Nope. Now, can you name some cons? I can: headaches, ulcers, sickness, high blood pressure, grouchiness, fatigue, lack of sleep, lack of peace...the list goes on.

I think of it this way: I collect dolls. They are one of my most prized possessions. When I was able to display them, I took very good care of my dolls. If I saw them getting dusty, I'd wipe the dust off; I made sure their hair was shiny and I straightened their clothes when needed. I found delight in taking care of them.

God loves us SO much. We are His children...His babies. If He takes care of His other creations, will He not take care of us - His most cherished creation? He finds delight in taking care of and providing for us. In knowing this, we can look forward, spread our arms wide, and fall back into His arms, trusting and believing that, no matter what our situations look like, GOD'S GOT US.

Random Thoughts

Liar Book Cover. So, there's been some controversy in the book world over the cover of Justine Larbalestier's book, Liar.

You may wonder what the big deal is. The cover looks good, right? Well, here's the deal: the main character, Micah, is an African American girl. Not only that, but her hair is so short, that people mistake her for a boy. As you can see, the cover model is neither African American, nor does she have short hair.


So, why did they choose to put this model on the cover? It could be one of two reasons. #1 - they didn't think an African American cover model would sell as well as a Caucasian one. This is the one that's causing the controversy. I hope and pray that this isn't the reason. We already have a sad representation of people of color in the book world - both as characters and as authors. What about all the African American teens who are just waiting for characters who look like them? It's funny. We now have an African American pres, yet, we can't get books with African American characters/cover models or written by African American authors. #2 - the character. Micah, is a compulsive liar. The cover can represent the fact that we don't know if she's lying about her appearance.


Which reason is it? Not really sure. Kinda makes me want to self publish my books so I can have more control over things like my covers. I do know one thing: this controversy will = more books sold for Ms. Larbalestier.


Oops! I Did It Again! I chopped my hair off again. Couldn't help it! I love the short and sassy look. Plus, it's too hot down here in Houston for long hair.

BEFORE

AFTER

Twitter. So, I finally caved in and got a Twitter account. I'll see how it goes. Follow me @ http://twitter.com/raewea.

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Joke emailed to me:

A mature (over 50) lady gets pulled over for speeding...

Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
Officer: Can I see your license please?
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.
Officer: Don't have one?
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.
Older Woman: I can't do that.
Officer: Why not?
Older Woman: I stole this car.
Officer: Stole it?
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
Officer: You what?
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see.

The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.

Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please!

The woman steps out of her vehicle.

Older woman: Is there a problem sir?
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.
Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.

The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.

Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.

The officer is quite stunned.

Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.

The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer. The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.

Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.
Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too.

Inspirational Sunday

"And He arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, 'Peace be still'. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." ~Mark 4:39

Rae's Thought: There's a part in the movie, Perfect Storm, where Mark Walhberg's character is in the middle of the sea, struggling to stay above water. The boat he was on has gone down and he's surrounded by fierce, hurricane winds. He looks up and sees the blue sky. It's peaceful, despite what's going on around him. He's in the eye of the hurricane.

This week's scripture comes from the story of Jesus and His disciples in the middle of the sea. While Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat, a furious squall (hurricane-like weather) came up. The waves crashed over the boat almost causing it to capsize. The disciples were scared. They ran to Jesus asking if He cared whether they lived or died. This is where verse 39 comes in. Jesus got up, spoke, and everything calmed.

The hurricane is one of the most destructive forces of nature with winds that can reach more than 155 mph and, yet, in the eye of the storm, it's calm with no thunderstorms and little to no cloud cover. It's the calmest part of the hurricane.

When I read this, I think of the hurricanes in my life - the troubles that come at me with the force of more than 155 mph. Every single person on this earth will experience life's hurricanes - some more destructive than others. The difference is the eye of the storm. Children of God can have the most destructive life-storm known to man, yet still have that peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). We'd experience our very own eye of the storm. Because Jesus is the Son of God and is all-powerful, the clouds are unable to form around Him. Jesus is kind of like our umbrella. He protects and shields those who love Him. We may get a little wet from the storm, but we won't get drenched or drown in the waters. When He's in the midst of your storms, you can still see the blue sky. You can still experience that same peace as the character in Perfect Storm. You can feel that there is hope.

Random Thoughts

I'm learning that there's this misconception that all authors make so much money. There are quite a few authors who have a day job in addition to their writing career. Not everyone's making the big bucks like Stephanie Meyer, JK Rowling, or other big name authors.

I am not an author...yet (working on it), but I am a writer with a day job. I don't see how writers/authors with full time jobs and families do it. They're able to shell out these books while working and taking care of the spouse and kids. I admire that. I'm not married, nor do I have kids, but I do have a day job. I still find it difficult, at times, to write.

The really funny thing is, during the fall, I worked all day, came home and did my doctorate work, and was still able to write. The words came kind of easily. Now that it is summer time, it's like my brain doesn't want to work - on writing my book(s) or my dissertation. I guess I should be happy with the spurts I do get. Things are playing out in my head, but getting it on paper is another story.

Wanna know what I think? This may sound weird. Both sides of my brain have kinda been vying for attention. My left side - the analytical, detail oriented side - rules when I'm working on my dissertation. My right side - the creative, imaginative side - rules when I'm writing my books. So, I have both sides and my dissertation/books needing attention and now, both sides have decided to take a break - on writing & dissertation, not on thinking...clearly I need my brain to think. Anyway, I'm having difficulty working on both. Guess my brain's on summer vacation - which is so NOT fair, since I don't get a vacation (these pesky bills stop me from actually enjoying the summer like other teachers get to do).

So, what does this mean (besides the fact that I really need a vacation)? Maybe, just maybe, I need to stop forcing it. Maybe I just need to let it flow. Then, maybe, everything will start coming to me again. Also, I need to take a Me-day, where I'm not working or worried about bills. Come to think of it, I need the Me-day soon. Hmm...