Same Kind of Different As Me

I know that so many of us are busy with work or with school that will start soon, but I want to tell you about this book I have. I actually checked it out from the library and read it in Chicago, but bought it not too long ago so that I would have a copy for myself and to lend to others.

It's "Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent. This book was absolutely amazing and is well worth the read. The line on the front of the book (so you'll have some idea what it's about) is, "A modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together." It's a true story and is such an incredible testimony to Christ's healing of man-made division. I realize I sound like an advertisement, but this book was so powerful to me and I'd love to be able to talk about it and process it with more people.

Please, please...if you have even the slightest notion that you might want to read it, borrow it from me. I would love to discuss it with you.

Love in the Mental Health Aisle

So I was in Barnes and Noble tonight looking at books on OCD. It occurred to me how unfortunate it would be for me to meet my husband in the psychology section. What would we tell our children?

"Yes, well he wandered over into the psychology section and saw me holding an OCD workbook. Amazed that I was investigating such a topic and wanting to show how easily he related to me, he whipped out the line, 'You have OCD? Me too.' And we talked about our mental illness over grande frappachinos."

We could look at each other years later and say, "You had me from anxiety."

Swaying Opinions

So my birthday was great- thanks to everyone who helped make it special!

On a different note, I've been told by more than one person that I have the ability to go just about anywhere and basically thrive. I think God has given me an adventurous spirit. Drop me off in Waco, Chicago, New York with a church I saw on a flier- I'm usually up for the challenge.

I have this amazing ability to adapt to new situations, which is probably why I dislike routine so much. This quality is a good one for ministry as I'm willing to go just about anywhere. Yet, with this ability to adapt I find myself confused over many different philosophies and such.

For instance, when I was in Chicago and taking a social justice class, it all seemed to fit together so perfectly. Then I come back home and talked to a knowledgeable friend who differs on most of those opinions and his argument sounds so valid.

I hear Republican attacks on Democrats and they make so much sense. Then I hear a Democrat viewpoint and I see its merit.

But then again, it is easy to find some research somewhere that will support anything. For instance, I was recently looking at two books published by the same man. One was for Democrats seeking to win arguments with Republicans and the other was for Republicans seeking to win arguments with Democrats. Both books by the same man!

Today my pastor talked about the verses that tell us not to be taken captive by deceptive theologies. While I know that my faith is firmly rooted in God through Jesus Christ, I wonder how many pastors and theologians could convince me of a certain aspect of the faith. For instance, you have those proclaiming the gospel of prosperity and those sounding the horn of living simply. For those of you who know me and the ministry God has given me, you probably know which side of that issue I fall on. But what other issues will I be so easily swayed from side to side?

It is, in fact, my own fault when I'm confused by what I believe because I so often look to myself and to others. I just need to look to Christ. After a week at Caswell with my youth I feel that God is calling me back to a more serious study of his word. Not that I ever stopped reading the Word, but more that for a while I had been reading it out of routine and a sense of obligation. God has been reminding me how fresh and exciting his word is everytime I open my Bible and that it doesn't get old.

So I guess getting more serious about being in the Word and talking with God will clear up some of this swaying of opinion I seem to have. I feel like the Isrealites on the road to the promised land. Why does it sometimes take me so long to get what God has been showing me all along?

Back from Caswell

So yesterday I got back from a week at Fort Caswell with most of the youth from my church. This was a great experience for many reasons. 1. I got to know the kids a whole lot better. They are crazy. I wouldn't have them any other way. 2. I started looking at my relationship with God in a new light and it's really exciting. Caswell was gorgeous. If you ever get a chance to go- do it!

Also, the day before I left I bought a chair. This is not just any chair. This is a big, comfy arm chair for my room that I can sit in and read or use the computer or watch tv or count the fiber content in a box of cereal. I love this chair.

Church today was exceptionally good. I mean, I love my church but I felt an especially exciting sense of fellowship today and the pastor was really into his sermon. I mean, I'm sure he usually is, but today I especially noticed it.

Just thought I'd update some since it's been a while. I am struggling with some thoughts and issues and stuff, so keep me in your prayers in regards to that. Hope everyone is doing great!

Dear Tech Support, It Was My Dog

As many of you know, I have lately had a hard time deleting and backspacing on my laptop since those keys, and one other one of which I am not certain which one it is, are missing. How did this happen? My dog decided to bust into my room and use my laptop as a stage. Sound absurd? Here's a little tidbit of the online chat I had with a sales rep. I have cut out the more tech sounding stuff:


Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Thank You for purchasing a Dell product. I can see from our records that you have contacted us for the first time. Let me assure you that i will provide you the best possible support and help resolve any questions you may have."

Rebecca Frederick: "thank you"

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "You are welcome."

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Could you elaborate the issue."

Rebecca Frederick: "some of the keys (3 to be exact) came off my keyboard, and there are a few other loose ones nearby the missing ones"

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "May I know how did this happen?"

Rebecca Frederick: "well....this sounds ridiculous, but I work on my laptop while sitting on the floor. I also have dogs. One day one of my dogs pushed open my door and stepped on my laptop and broke it. I realize this sounds absurd."

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "I see."

Rebecca Frederick: "is my keyboard covered in my 1 year warranty?"

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Rebecca, this kind of damage is not covered under warranty."

Rebecca Frederick: "so for the record, do I sound like a total moron?"

(personal commentary: there was a bit of a pause in response here)

Rebecca Frederick: "ok, you don't have to answer that. is there anyway I can pay to have my laptop serviced?"

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Do not worry, I will give you sales number and the part to replace the keyboard kit."

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Are you experiencing any other issue with system other than keyboard?"

Rebecca Frederick: "no"

Rebecca Frederick: "ok thank you"

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Is there anything else regarding your Dell system that you need help with?"

Rebecca Frederick: "no mam"

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "Are you satisfied with the level of support provided to you on this interaction?"

Rebecca Frederick: "on your part, yes. on the part of it not being covered, not as much."

Agent (Nidhi_105620): "I understand."


Is that not hilarious???

Pick Your Fountain

Those of you who journeyed through undergrad at Campbell at the same time I did probably remember the infamous fountain campaign.

We are now living in the days of football and convocation centers, but not too long ago the ambitions of Campbell were a lot simpler: a fountain in front of the business school.

You might remember the framed picture set up in one of the entrances to the buisness building. You might remember the jokes made whenever tuition went up, parking tickets were given, or any kind of fee was imposed..."they've gotta pay for the fountain." You also might remember that the planning to finishing phase for this fountain literally took years!

Today I took the kids I watch to Campbell and we walked around and looked at the fountains. First, we visited that well-campaigned-for water spout and then the older, smaller, more pathetic looking fountain.

Which one did my kids enjoy more? At which one did they engage in more splashing and running? You got it.....the old one.

So much for fountain campaigns.

How Much Can You Make?

I recently found this link:

http://www.cbsalary.com/?lr=cbmsn&siteid=cbmsnsl

This site is great! I have been comparing salaries in the Raleigh, NC in various positions. Some of the top: pharmacist, anesthesiologist (I have no idea how to spell it, hence the fact that I will never be one) and dentist.

Sadly, a teacher barely beats out a magician in income.

Seriously?

My church just finished up a week of Vacation Bible School. It went really well, however, there was one point of hilarity (ok, many points, but I'll focus on this one).

In the opening worship video shown throughout the week, which was produced by the company we purchased the curriculum from, there was the five-part story of a soccer team.

On the last night they were playing the championship game against a really mean team that would constantly foul them just to be mean.

In one scene a kid from the the other team knocked over (or something to that extent) a kid from the team we had been following all week.

Do you know what the coach of the other team yelled? Showing his excitement at his team's ruthless playing, he yelled, "Keep it gangster!"

I, of course, found this hilarious. I looked around. Why was the rest of the church just watching the video, no expressions of amusement? Surely they heard the middle-aged white man in the Southern Baptist VBS video say "gangster." Then of course there is the fact that he actually fully prounounced "gangster."

Ah well, my friend who works in the nursery heard it and laughed. At least someone else in attendance found the hilarity of it.

Sugar Cookie Mishap

Note: I just finished a paper for my theology class, so spelling is not a priority in this post!

So today I decided to venture into the world of baking with the kids I babysit. I went online, retrieved a recipie for sugar cookies, and set to the task. The older two each had a part in mixing and such.

Now, if any of you know my baking history, you know I am not the best baker. This is especially ironic since my career ambition in the first grade was to be a TV chef (see, my love for broadcasting started early). I did go through one phase of sucessful cooking. I got this Betty Crocker Beginner Basics cookbook. This thing is so helpful, in fact the only way it could be more helpful is to explain how to stir (grip spoon and move hand in a circular motion).

The sugar cookies totally didn't work. They didn't even bake right. I can't figure out what they didn't seem to hardly bake at all. Maybe they were too thick (I gave up on trying to roll the dough as flat as it could go....even with flour I couldn't get the dough not to stick to the rolling pin). Whatever the reason, I threw them out (after I already threw out the dough that was gonna go on the second tray...I know a baking failure when I see it).

So if you have any SUPER EASY recipies, please share them with me! Maybe I can try again with the kids.

Really quick, my five-year-old came up to me, holding a flag with a skull and crossbones in a red bandana on it. She asked me why the Christian flag was so fascinating. I told her that wasn't the Christian flag. "That's a pirate flag." Her brother told her. She shrieked and threw it. Now THAT'S entertainment!

Who Are They Singing To???

Alright, I'm not big on musicals. You could even say I highly dislike them to the point of being just one notch away from hating them. I know not all of them are the same, but the last few musicals I have seen seem to be lacking in character and plot development. And if a play is supposed to be the audience looking in on something, who on earth are the actors singing to??? (Note: I did enjoy Phantom of the Opera. Musicals do have some redeeming qualities.)

Now, I love theater. I was in theater for many years and love seeing new shows. However, I'd rather have a fully developed character over a singing and dancing one. Before you assume I know nothing about singing and dancing let me say I danced for many years and loved it. As far as singing, you're right....I know almost nothing about it.

But still, I just don't like musicals. At least this last one had some humor (after you sat through plan scandelousness! I think I just invented a word!), and Molly Ringwald. That's right! The star of movies such as "Pretty in Pink" and "The Breakfast Club" was singing and dancing on a Raleigh stage.

The song that I tap danced to in the fourth grade was included in the play. The line at the end, "Hey girls, it's me, Charity!" makes a lot more sense in the context of the entire script.

If I had to choose between musicals and no theater, I would choose musicals. But give me an Agatha Christie novel in script format over Suessical any day. I mean, Suessical didn't even include Hop on Pop! What's that about?