United States and It's Fabulous 50

What are You Listening For? . . . . Sunday Sermon Masterpiece Collection, Vol. I

It was high noon in midtown Manhattan. The streets were buzzing with activity—crowds of people scurrying to lunch, car horns honking, brakes screeching, a siren wailing. Two men were making their way through the throng of noon-time lunch-goers. One was a native New Yorker, the other a Kansas farmer on his first visit to see his city cousin. Suddenly, the farmer stopped and said to the city dweller, "Hold on! I hear a cricket!"

His cousin replied, "Are you kidding? Even if there was a cricket around here, which isn’t likely, you would never be able to hear it over all this noise."

The farmer remained quiet for a few moments, then walked several paces to the corner where a shrub was struggling to grow in a large cement planter. He turned over several leaves and found the cricket. The city dweller was flabbergasted. "What great ears you have," he said.

"Not at all," the farmer replied. "Your ears are as good as mine. It’s a matter of what you’ve been conditioned to listen for. Here, I’ll show you." Whereupon, he pulled a handful of coins from his pocket and let them clink to the sidewalk. As if on signal, every head on the block turned. "You see," said the farmer, "you hear what you are tuned in to listen for."

Plant these "seeds" well and water often. Enjoy!

Since our last post, we've gotten engaged!!  It's been 3 weeks since we've blogged.  We were busy making wedding plans as we were going to try and get it done before Christmas.  But alas, plans have changed slightly.  We now have a little more time to sit and talk to you.  We are looking at a Spring of 2010 wedding and we can't wait!!!!  Seems like there is a disconnect between the head and the heart so knowing what is the right thing to do and doing the right thing isn't always easy.  This is Gina's daughter's senior year of high school and she couldn't fathom moving away for her last year (we were going to open enroll her to her same school so it just meant a little time on the road for her each day which mom was actually excited about since they don't get a lot of face to face time these days).  So, we have decided to wait until she is nearer the end of her school year to tie the proverbial knot.  It seems like a long time until then but everyone we talk to that has had a graduating teenager promises us that this is the year that will fly. 

The trip to Minneapolis/St. Paul was fun, adventurous and not too stressful on anyone!  As you know, I was a little worried about Gina and her daughter trying to tolerate 2 ten year olds (boy/girl twins) and another teenage girl.  That was a lot of estrogen in itself!!!  Add to that, the 10 yr old boy that is constantly ganged up on by his sisters but who loves to be the center of attention!!!  He talked non-stop for 3 hours!!!  I think Gina and her daughter were ready to go home!!!  Things got better and a good time was had by all!!!  Ty (10 yr old boy) did manage to get an autograph from Joba Chamberlain of the New York Yankees!!!  I don't know how many people he cut in front of, how many toes that he stepped on or how many elbows he threw on his way, but he did say thank you to Mr. Chamberlain, who appreciated the courtesy and extended the same courtesy in return.  Our beloved New York Yankees did win the game against the Minnesota Twins. 

Stay tuned for further developments!!