King of the Jungle

Sorry this is so late. If you have 5 minutes to enrich your life with the joy of parenting a star!

update

I know it seems as though I have abandoned the entire blogsphere, but fear not, I have been lurking. Usually at odd hours when my thinker is creatively tapped. Today, I have a brief minute to let you know what is going on.
Tru Blu is in the busiest season ever! I am now a Sous Chef/ Event Manager/ part-time nurse practitioner. I am also able to go to ball games, and occasionally have friends over. The rest of the crowd regularly at our house are family, spiritually speaking.
Nash was the star of the second grade performance of "It s a Jungle Out There." I am pretty proud. He kicked some serious jungle jams.
My garden is growing, slowly but surely. And can I just say thank God for community! You never know who God is going to put in your life. They could be the most extreme out there hippies to the most conservative and yet still, with Jesus as the common denominator, they will be in the backyard with you gardening. They may not like it, they may play with their IPHONE for 99.5 percent of the time, but does that really matter? Their spouse is there, kids are there and love is in the air. Ahh the joy of community gardening. This year it looks like our main crops are to be tomatoes, lettuce and corn. Oh wait onions too, golden beets, cucumber, okra, a few melons. Lots of herbs, strawberries, asparagus. Lots of sunflowers!

Mia is graduating June 16th! yeah! She is still not decided about what to do next, so pray for wisdom for her! I also would like to have a party for her.

Bella is going to sixth grade, I want to home-school, only I stink at home-schooling so maybe ABeka will bail me out. Nash is probably going to Cornerstone. But he is having reservations, as are we. Are we doing the right thing? I am praying for peace about the decision.

My new job is most awesome. 2 short days a week! Can we say Amen?! I also have to cover vacations and days off for three doctors, but it is ok. I am loving the freedom.
Okay, so I am going to confess again that I will be trying to get into shape this summer. So anytime anyone wants to do anything physical, except that, call me! I would like to walk the track, pretend to play tennis, go to the gym, I am going Hendrick, I will probably not "diet" at first. I will try to eat less sugar. I will drink more water. I will drink rejuvelac, "living water" a fermented wheat berry water that cleans out your digestive tract and has lots of nutritional qualities. I know TMI.

I am going to be an Aunt again! And no Rachel is not PG that I know of. My Sweet Sister-in-lay Sara is going to have her baby in mid July! Third boy, sound familiar anyone?

BFW this weekend, Three more parties for Tru Blu on Friday night. One on Thursday! Crazy busy!

Single Parent Fundraiser is 4 weeks out we still need invitations completed and more auction items. I have lined up amazing talent. Chef Joel will be preparing a superb menu as well. It is going to be the coolest night Clyde has ever seen.

I don't think I should spend anymore time on here. Next time, medical van and def poetry, peace out.

ten-in-the-summertime

ten in the summer time
at the pool by grandma's house
and grandpa-in-the- garage, waiting
to make you a hamburger and the best red kool-aid ever
green grass
merry go round
finding the quarter underwater after the life guards blow the whistle
to get back in
blue skies
with white cumulus nimbus
running with cousins
with arms way out
circles until we fall
the raspa man with the mustache and smile
more quarters from grandpa-in- the- garage
to buy whatever color sno-cone
hide in the closet and hope mom and dad leave me here
just a little longer


trishtrueblood

Randomonium update

I just drove in from San Antonio. My Big Girl ( Mia) sounded so sick I had to go check on her. Please pray for healing and strength. She has a super cute apartment, with very hip decorative abilities. Obviously- not my influence. It was good to see her. Just proves, not matter how old they are they are still your babies- especially wihen they have sore throats and raspy voices.


We have a young man living with us. He is a most amazing young man. We met him through Mia. They were dating. Then they broke up, but still talk everyday. Go figure. He is from Liberia. If you do not know the history behind Liberia, please look it up. This young man is going to be a great leader one day. Probably even the President. Please think of him as you pray also.

Okay so what is up with all the prayer requests? I am out of the prayer closet. I pray. I love to pray. I am gifted with a desire to war for others, for nations, for cities for regions, against principalities. For my family. For my home and my patients. For the Glory of God on the Earth and in people. SO while you are at it pray for me! Our women's retreat is not much of a retreat. There is never any pedicure time. It is all about getting rid of stuff and intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Nash ran his first 5K on Saturday, that has to be the coolest thing my eight year old has ever done athletically. One, because he came in 5th in the under 12 category and he is EIGHT! Two because it inspired and encouraged me to be a fit mom. I am running with him next year. I have been trying to convince Mayor Hawk to do a 5K in CLyde. - That would be cool! It is a walk run in Abilene, Moms and Dads with kids in strollers, all shapes and sizes of people. Even the old guys with short shorts and no shirts were there. Yay.

Bella is ridiculously older looking. We went to the Rangers game on Saturday. I just do not like her looking so mature. God help us- yes another prayer!


I am too tired to talk about the Taste of Abilene or my fantastic new job. I will have to do a part two. I have got to sleep some.

Shadow of the blinds
a lady in the cloth
she smiles
in the curved lips of the sun's afternoon light
blue rhythms on green curtains
a mild avocado shade
delicately offering love
no mocking today
the rot of the apple cored
one bad spot
does not spoil the whole
of your soul
the pain of the carve
does bring sweetness after the yield of the cut
one seed
saved
one seed
prayed
one seed
paved
one love
founded in truth
salvation
redemption
temptation captivated
for realization of


everlasting rhythms
of movement
in loving


trishtrueblood april0508

How to build community

I found this post card in Santa Fe thought some of you might appreciate.


Turn off your TV
Leave your house
Know your neighbors
Greet people
Look up when you are walking
Sit on your stoop
Plant flowers
Use your library
Play together
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Honor Elders
Support neighborhood schools
Fix it ieven if you didn't break it
Have pot lucks
Garden together
Pick Up litter
Read stories outloud
Dance in the street
Talk to the mail carrier
listen to the birds
Put up a swing
Carry something heavy
Barter for your goods
Start a tradition
Ask a question
Hire young people for odd jobs
Organize a block party
Bake extra and share
Ask for help when you need it
Open your shades
Sing together
Share your skills
Take back the night
Turn up the music
Turn down the music
Listen before you react to anger
Mediate a conflict
Seek to understand
Learn from new and uncomfortable situations
Know that no one is silent though many are not heard
Work to change this.


Text by members of SCW community (Syracuse cultural workers)www.syrculturalworkers.com

Things that make you go hmmmm

I am still employed.
It is interesting that this coveted position I so desperately thought I wanted has turned into such a hard situation. It has revealed many areas of my shortcomings. I can't really say too many specifics, just trust me.

Joel is going to be 40! so save the date- party at the Warehouse- Friday March 14th 7:00 pm live music, food, fun. Bring something to roast him with!

I am getting the feeling God is releasing me from my current situation as my life is sort of falling apart outside of work and in desperate need of my attention.

MIa will be moving into her own apartment on March 7th. It was not the- I am crying country song about a daughter leaving with front porch swings and driving away. I guess everyone gets out of the nest in their own way. I just pray for protection and prosperity all the days of her life.

I want my own clinic- not so much my own- but a people's clinic. I want my patient's to have somewhere to go when I leave. I feel like I do a good job. I care. But I can't pay their bills and my bills- I dream of change for people that do not have insurance- God use me in this, so pray for vision and provision to move toward a people's clinic. Now I am not talking about people that can afford to pay, but expect to be "blessed" but people that really don't have it. I paid and am still paying for my education. If you could contribute to the clinic costs, you should- thus sliding scale.

My "baby" is hard work. I have to get him in puppy class. His name is King Midas by the way.

Our fundraiser for single parent families is April 19th another date I would like you to save. Also please get your crafts for donation ready. We will have a silent and live auction for some big ticket items. Leah has promised to make some jewelry for me so get ready ladies!

Have a great day and pray for me I got this report back that basically points toward Lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematous- google it. I hurt alot but I don't really believe it.

" Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world."

Busy in America

Okay so American busy is different from Cambodian busy. But it still feels busy to me. I miss you guys.
Someone gave me a line to reply to people when they ask how you are." Living the dream!"

I think maybe if I say it enough- I might believe it. I love what I do . I love seeing patients. But I MISS being home. One day I can do both. God will give me the perfect hours and perfect job. I do feel as if this is training for that time.

"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Proverbs 3:26

connect the thoughts

ENTPs are idea people. Their perceptive abilities cause them to see possibilities everywhere. They get excited and enthusiastic about their ideas, and are able to spread their enthusiasm to others. In this way, they get the support that they need to fulfill their visions"
- Portrait of an ENTP (The Personality Page)

"It is so natural for these individuals to practice devising gadgets and mechanisms, that they start doing it even as young children. And they get such a kick out of it that they really never stop exercising their inventive bent"
- The Portrait of the Inventor Rational (Keirsey)

"ENTPs are usually verbally as well as cerebrally quick, and generally love to argue--both for its own sake, and to show off their often-impressive skills... argument as a sport."
- ENTP Profile (TypeLogic)
"ENTPs contribute an innovative, versatile, and enterprising approach to work. They view limitations as challenges to be overcome and look for new ways to do things. They need to find a niche for themselves in order to be free to maneuver. They prefer the start-up phase of a project rather than the followthrough or maintenance phase. Once the project is designed, they prefer to turn it over to someone else."
- ENTP - The Innovator (Lifexplore)

"...attention seeking, experience junky, insensitive, adaptable, not easily offended, messy, carefree, dangerous, fearless, careless..."
- Jung Type Descriptions (ENTP) (similarminds.com)
Famous ENTPs

Real ENTP People

Alexander the Great - king, military commander Gotta love this one!
Alfred Hitchcock - filmmaker (The Birds)
Celine Dion - singer
David Spade - actor, comedian
George Carlin - comedian, actor, author
James A. Garfield - American President
John Adams - American President
John Candy - comedian, actor
Julia Child - chef, author, TV personality Joel might appreciate this one.
Lewis Carrol - author (Alice in Wonderland)
Marilyn Vos Savant - author, lecturer, playwright
Matthew Perry - actor (Friends)

Nikola Tesla - inventor, physicist, engineer
Richard Feynman - physicist
Rodney Dangerfield - comedian, actor
Rutherford B. Hayes - American President
Sir Walter Raleigh - writer, poet, explorer
Suzanne Pleshette - actress
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt - American President
Thomas Edison - inventor
Tom Hanks - actor I can't believe I have a similar personality to Tom!
Valerie Harper - actress
Walt Disney - filmmaker, entrepreneur
Weird Al Yankovic - musician (satire/parody) Okay- this is funny.

Hey take this test, I want to see what you guys and gals are.

My new baby!

Single Parent Ministry

We had a GREAT life group! We had so much fun. Stevie B joined our group. It was a cut up. Our focus this semester is Singles- mostly single parent families. But anyone is welcome. We are trying to figure what the "church" looks like when we do what we are supposed to do. Take care of each other. We decided it will be called SPM. We will have a supermanish logo. Our slogan might be, SPM, it is better than PMS! Would that be too ridiculous? We might even go cheesy and make a video commercials, I don't want to give too much away but it is going to be good.

This is a sneak preview of the assessment tool. Just to try to figure out what the needs are. We want to give out tool boxes to moms and teach them how to use them, we want to give first aid classes, cooking classes, pay medical bills, treat babysitting with certified babysitters, etc. I am excited. We are hoping to have a fundraiser at the church in March with permission. Hopefully it will rock. Live music, good food auction items for our cause to move forward.
If you know of anyone that might donate a item for auction please let us know.

Candle for Miles

Hey all, I have a favor to ask. I have this amazing friend. She is the encourager of encouragers. She is the most amazing mother to a son that has not yet been healed of physcial ailments caused by a near death experience. Her son is in the hospital, he is getting well. Please keep praying for complete healing with all of the faith you can fathom. In the meantime, until he rises up from his situation, burn an online candle for him. Please post a picture of a candle on your blog or just agree with me today. I just want to show her how much I love her.

Here is to Miles complete restoration.

Mia

(This is Mia with her short wig on- one of the many fun things she likes to do. She was in a play and had to wear this wig, but don't you think she looks cute with short hair?)

SO, lots has been going on. Some things I can talk about here some not. Crisis #? Mia left for San Antonio yesterday. She will be finishing high school in San Antonio. Interesting that I moved my senior year in HS to San Antonio, but I was moving back in with my mom so I would not have to pay bills the rest of my senior year. Hmmm, long story. I had a kind of bad day until I knew she got there. My mom was trying to meet her by Comfort (town close to Frederiscksburg). Mia, however, went all the way to her house in San Antonio. Meanwhile, in the fog and the rain, we were panicking, just a little. Okay, more than that. Weather was bad on the way down. Anyway. It was a rough day. And a rough night. As it is three AM and here I sit. I know, I have prayed pretty much without ceasing, except I am blogging.

Work is better in many ways, still hard in others. I am learning a lot. I suspect I would in any place I worked. But I really am beginning to like my doctor. He is odd, funny, intelligent,one of those MENSA types. It is good brain food.

I am still working on research and Medicare stuff. It pretty much sucks and I can't wait to give it away.

Joel is getting busier, Erica is still helping him, thank you thank you thank you. PLEASE DON'T QUIT. If you would like to suscribe to the Tru Blu Newsletter, email us at trublucatering@mac.com. It is beautiful piece that is evolving to include, a wine article and recipe and general goings on at Tru Blu.

Wednesday is our first life group of the semester. If we had known Fran was having one, we might have just quit ours and gone on over. But I guess not the plan of God. We are focusing on single parents. We have four single parents with 2-3 kids each. Pray for us. We are excited about the implementation of God's blueprints in this area.


I guess I should try to rest a couple of hours. I have a very busy day ahead of me.

Cancer Humor?

Okay, so this end of life stage has been quite eye opening. Conversation like this....
"Where is the doctor?" cancer patient
"He's not here." me
"l need to go to the hospital." c p
"Okay, I will start the orders." me
She said, "I didn't know you had so much power."
I assessed and interviewed her, as well as her husband.
As I am walking out the door, her husband looks at me and says," I guess sex is out of the question tonight?"
I said, "Your goanna have to ask her!"

And they say kids say the darndest things!

Timeless

His unshaven face, weathered
Slumped in the wheelchair
The wind from his sail gone
The clock ticked as the papers rustled in his chart
His wife passed only 18 months ago
He loved her very much you know
He cannot live without her
He dare not drink
He dare not eat
The cancer can ravage his broken body
He is broken
Only half the man he used to be
She was the other half
How do you walk?
How do you talk?
How do you live?
Half a body without love
You can almost see the years of love in his old blue eyes
He turns his head and looks in your eyes
You share the common knowledge of knowing true love
The kind that forgives all things
The kind that bears all things
The kind that joins two as one
How many mornings did they share?
How many nights did they spoon until sleep set?
How many times did he run his fingers on her bare skin?
Young tan skin to weathered covering of the beauty within
I love you
I can't live without you
He turns his head after that one deep look into my eyes
I understand
I have a love too
In youth love is timeless
Timeless is a season
Try to eat a little, okay?
Goodbye now
Call me if you need anything....
He is wheeled down the florescent hall
To the end
May the wind of peace be upon him
As he sails in the face of death



trishtrueblood

In the Shadow of Plenty

This year I would like to actually get somewhere spiritually. Last year was about finishing something I had started. Then starting something new. These were desires God was faithful in giving me. But they were not 100% dedicated to the Lover. I would like to say they were. I am seeing some things very differently right now.
I feel this year is the year to be obedient. This year is to draw nearer than ever to my God. To stop feeling sad or mad or disappointed or tired. To just start moving the direction of the Spirit of God- wherever that may lead. Jobs really hinder the free form of the Spirit unless the Spirit actually gives you a job/task.
I figured something out that might seem very basic to many of you. Questioning and wondering as necessary I feel it is, is a hindrance to the relationship of a believer. It may allow for strengthening at the end, but it causes a loss of momentum in the present walk. In addition, the longer one takes his/her eyes off of the Lover, fleshly responses become more exaggerated. Emotional lows, anger and bitterness thrive in the face of doubt. Children do not understand a waffle other than eating it. Stand firm. That is scripture, despite doubt. It produces fruit in children. There is security of the spirit in parents that are oak trees. Kids can climb and play and rest in the shade. This year I declare strength in firm stance. Faith like never before. Stability of mind, will and emotion. I was watching "Strong Man" on TV, I could see some with smaller muscles and stronger stance carry more weight for a longer period. I looked over at the husband and suddenly became an expert in the judging of the competion. He laughed, but agreed. If you can plant firmly, you can endure and perservere. Faith, Peace, Love, Hope and Joy abundant. I pray this for you and me.
Joel and I are reading this book


It is amazing. It has given us the kick in the teeth we have needed to get serious about our role in this life. I will give you more details later. B- we can't wait for your return. If you have not read this, put it on your short list. Anyway, gotta go, lots to do.

I am in love!

About 13 years ago Joel and I were in San Antonio running a coffee house called Java Joe's. Since then our passion for coffee has never waned. We ordered from our roaster in SA where ever we lived and had him mail it to us. Our roaster is now the roaster of all the HEB Central market coffees. Anyway we have not had an espresso machine for years. I have had to endure life with Staryucks when I was in the mood and had the cash. Such a burden. Well, Joel is not much of a gift giver, especially at christmas. My stocking was actually empty even though I gave myself a couple of gold chocolate coins, I guess it was raided. It started Thursday. He bought me Ralph Lauren Romance. Then it happened. While I was at work, he did it. He drove to Arlington to Specialty Restaurant Equipment and bought a commercial grade espresso machine for "the business". Now I know you might think this was not for me. You are wrong. God loves me so much that he gave me a good looking, I mean seriously good looking husband that can cook and clean and bring me good coffee, not to mention perfume. So, to be fair, if you ever need to rent a espresso machine for a party, give us a call. I am thinking I might quit my job and just run a mobile coffee cart. What the heck.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Living in Community

We live in community, even when we go off by ourselves. Remember the old song: "I see the moon and the moon sees me, the moon sees somebody I want to see; God bless the moon and God bless me and God bless somebody I want to see." To be in relationship with God is to be in relationship with every person who is also in relationship with God. And we do not need to speak the same language or have the same accent to be in true community; we have only to realize that we are all part of God, and to keep that uppermost in our mind and spirit as we live and relate to each other.
--William A. Kolb, "Community: Where the Holy Spirit Hangs Out"

I love the truth in these statements. I hope we can truly live this out, that polarities do not bring division, but dialogue that reaches deeply into the pockets of our hearts and minds. Stretch and be stretched.

Zeitgeist - The Movie - 2 of 13 (Part 1 of 3 on Religion)

SO as some of you might know, I recently had a spiritual challenge of sorts. I had to reclaim my beliefs and make them sharper in my spirit. Some of that for me is to question, to dialogue, to ponder the deep things. This is one of the ways the world will attack our faith, are we ready to reply, with video? With rhetoric, with application of the word in community love? Are we ready to say that the propaganda that is sold in this format is still bogus regardless of how it is fed to the weaker minded, weaker believers or unbelievers.