At some point when I was in middle or high school, my sisters and/or I needed physical(s) for school and into the doctor's office piled our crew. I can only imagine the dread that poor doctor felt walking into our loud room. Well, it quickly disappeared into a genuine smile. Without being obtrusive and preventing what needed to be done from getting done, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. A joke here and there, a fit of laughter now and again, and the room was full of smiles.
“He wishes he could be a fly on the wall in our house,” Mom said about the doctor as we walked out to the car. Of course, we asked how she could tell. She explained the authentic smile and the twinkle in his amused eyes.
Since Mom mentioned that, I’ve seen the same smile and shimmer in the eyes of other people. A store clerk here; a passer-by there. Last week I saw it on the neighbors sitting on their pier.
The five of us had gone for an hour and a half boat ride where we chased bald eagles, spied on turtles, and stirred up wake with our pontoon boat. The ride had to come to a close as our stomachs growled in hunger, so we brought the boat in for lunch. A light breeze glided across the lake and we came in too far away from our pier to dock on the first try. Mom leapt off but couldn’t grab the boat and pull it in manually.
Dad backed up and we tried again. We’d been teasing him that for four days he brought the boat in perfectly on the first try but on days five and six he started to lose his touch.
On the second try, Mom grabbed the bow and almost fell into the water between the boat the pier. I might add that by now we were all rolling in laughter. Laura leapt onto pier but failed to grab the stern. The bow was all but tied down while the stern tried to sail of to sea again. Which, of course, was amusing because normally the stern, the part of the boat that steers, is easy to control while it’s the bow that misbehaves. Well, we decided coming in stern towards the lake wasn’t going to work, so (with the bow still tied down) we swung the boat around and successfully parked bow-out. Problem: the propeller was digging in the sand. They untied the bow and Dad, Christina, and I went back out in the lake and spun the boat around.
On try three, we crashed into the pier head-on. Oops. Try four we couldn’t grab hands with Mom and Laura. Dad offered up a fishing pole for extra length but we decided that wasn’t the best idea. Try five and all of our energy stretching between the boat and the pier as we held onto each other for dear life, we finally successfully docked the boat without throwing anyone into “the drink."
That’s when we realized our problem: this was an alcohol-free boating experience. Every other time when Dad docked, he had already downed a beer or two. No one fell into the drink, but Dad needed a drink. From their pier and in between uncontrolled burst of laughter the neighbors offered Dad a beer.
It’s no wonder we have a tendency to be the loudest people everywhere we go: we enjoy ourselves. We’re not going to let a little breeze stop of us from an amusing boat ride!
<>< Katie
Showing posts with label lake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lake. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Happy birthday, Daddio
"Lunch? Noon. Love, Dad."
That's all the email read. Luckily, I knew lunch our usual lunch location: the family pub on the lake. This particular fall day, I arrived first. I got a table but rather than shivering at the sight of the white caps, I flagged down the waitress. I put in our drinks order, a root beer for me and an iced tea for Dad. I then confided in her and shared a secret.
"It's his birthday," I whispered, pointing to the seat where my father would sit at some point. She nodded and disappeared.
"You beat me here! First time in your life," Dad teased about my punctuality. I'm never later than a minute or two, but our restaurant is a few blocks from his office and fifteen minutes from our house. Combine that with the fact that I was a college student home on fall break who'd rather be in bed at noon and you tell me who's going to arrive first.
We enjoyed our meal and as we finished up, I heard the maracas in the kitchen. I bit my lip as to not spill my own beans. I didn't think I was successful, but I still enjoyed the look on Dad's face when they serenaded him and placed an ice cream dessert in front of him. I "got him" and got a good laugh.
As we were walking out we walked past his former secretary who happened to be having lunch with some friends. "Now wait a second. Your birthday's in June," she puzzled with a smile. It was October. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.
Dad is notorious for taking his "four girls" (my two sisters, my mom, and me) out for our birthdays, sneaking around the restaurant, and surprising us with a birthday serenade and free cake. We all hate it. We all love it. As we've gotten wiser, so has Dad. Since he's not allowed to leave the table during dinner, he's hired accomplices. We know what restaurants will participate in this tomfoolery, and we've been known to sing ourselves in those that don't. We've decided to bypass this mortifying tradition and enjoy a peaceful birthday dinner at home instead. My birthday's in early August, and I make sure we eat every meal at home from late July until mid August. You just never know when it's going to be your birthday TODAY!
Sure, we've turned it around on him a time or two. Like when we went out on Christina's birthday but told the waitress it was Dad's birthday instead. Or the time we made him wear the menu on his head while they serenaded Mom. But that's what's go great about the October celebration: it was just a taste of his own medicine and he had no idea it was coming. Not going to lie, I was pretty proud of myself and I did wish the rest of the family could have been there to see it. Oh, well. Maybe tonight we'll go out for lemon marang pie.
Happy birthday, Freddy Buttless. I love you more than the grains of sand all mushed together. Love, Sandi Beech.
<>< Katie
That's all the email read. Luckily, I knew lunch our usual lunch location: the family pub on the lake. This particular fall day, I arrived first. I got a table but rather than shivering at the sight of the white caps, I flagged down the waitress. I put in our drinks order, a root beer for me and an iced tea for Dad. I then confided in her and shared a secret.
"It's his birthday," I whispered, pointing to the seat where my father would sit at some point. She nodded and disappeared.
"You beat me here! First time in your life," Dad teased about my punctuality. I'm never later than a minute or two, but our restaurant is a few blocks from his office and fifteen minutes from our house. Combine that with the fact that I was a college student home on fall break who'd rather be in bed at noon and you tell me who's going to arrive first.
We enjoyed our meal and as we finished up, I heard the maracas in the kitchen. I bit my lip as to not spill my own beans. I didn't think I was successful, but I still enjoyed the look on Dad's face when they serenaded him and placed an ice cream dessert in front of him. I "got him" and got a good laugh.
As we were walking out we walked past his former secretary who happened to be having lunch with some friends. "Now wait a second. Your birthday's in June," she puzzled with a smile. It was October. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.
Dad is notorious for taking his "four girls" (my two sisters, my mom, and me) out for our birthdays, sneaking around the restaurant, and surprising us with a birthday serenade and free cake. We all hate it. We all love it. As we've gotten wiser, so has Dad. Since he's not allowed to leave the table during dinner, he's hired accomplices. We know what restaurants will participate in this tomfoolery, and we've been known to sing ourselves in those that don't. We've decided to bypass this mortifying tradition and enjoy a peaceful birthday dinner at home instead. My birthday's in early August, and I make sure we eat every meal at home from late July until mid August. You just never know when it's going to be your birthday TODAY!
Sure, we've turned it around on him a time or two. Like when we went out on Christina's birthday but told the waitress it was Dad's birthday instead. Or the time we made him wear the menu on his head while they serenaded Mom. But that's what's go great about the October celebration: it was just a taste of his own medicine and he had no idea it was coming. Not going to lie, I was pretty proud of myself and I did wish the rest of the family could have been there to see it. Oh, well. Maybe tonight we'll go out for lemon marang pie.
Happy birthday, Freddy Buttless. I love you more than the grains of sand all mushed together. Love, Sandi Beech.
<>< Katie
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Two Thoughts
I was walking back to my apartment under an overcast but dry sky yesterday afternoon when I noticed ripples in the lake. It wasn't raining where I was but it was raining over the lake. It was weird. It's kind of as if God was quoting TobyMac and saying, "If it's got to start somewhere, why not here?"
What's got to start somewhere in your life? Why not here?
Really think about it.
Have you thought long and hard?
Ok, then how about a Blast from the Past funny story?
From the time I was two until I was about ten we had some great neighbors. Without a doubt the best neighbors we've ever had. Late at night after my sister and I fell asleep, they'd set up the baby monitor and go to the neighbors'. If it was positioned correctly in the window of my back bedroom the signal would reach to the back window and hot tub two doors down. Probably not the safest thing to do since we were little and asleep, but we were in a good neighborhood, and we knew Mom and Dad and two houses worth of great neighbors were just a shout away. Well, one night in the dead of winter they were all sitting in the hot tub and they heard some suspicious noise on the baby monitor. In his swim trunks Dad flew out of the hot tub and ran barefoot through the snow home where he found three sleeping girls and an undistrubed house. He said the run home wasn't bad but the walk back was frigid.
<>< Katie
What's got to start somewhere in your life? Why not here?
Really think about it.
Have you thought long and hard?
Ok, then how about a Blast from the Past funny story?
From the time I was two until I was about ten we had some great neighbors. Without a doubt the best neighbors we've ever had. Late at night after my sister and I fell asleep, they'd set up the baby monitor and go to the neighbors'. If it was positioned correctly in the window of my back bedroom the signal would reach to the back window and hot tub two doors down. Probably not the safest thing to do since we were little and asleep, but we were in a good neighborhood, and we knew Mom and Dad and two houses worth of great neighbors were just a shout away. Well, one night in the dead of winter they were all sitting in the hot tub and they heard some suspicious noise on the baby monitor. In his swim trunks Dad flew out of the hot tub and ran barefoot through the snow home where he found three sleeping girls and an undistrubed house. He said the run home wasn't bad but the walk back was frigid.
<>< Katie
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Be intentional
This semester, the theme on campus has kind of been "Be Intentional." Be intentional in spending time with God. Be intentional in your friendship. Be intentional in sharing Christ. Be intentional in loving others... It took on a whole new meaning for me tonight.
As part of the college ministry at my Baptist church, John, Keith, David, and I went out on Friday evening. It was a little weird because I was the only female among three guys. Before coming to college, my only brother was the tractor. I didn't have a lot of male friends. I was pretty much clueless as to how guys work. Well, ok, I still am but I'm learning. Last night was a nice challenge for me.
Putt putt was fun. I won! I had the highest score! Unlike in soccer (which I still call futbol), you can use anything and everything including my proper end of my golf club, the handle end of the club (like a pool cue), my feet, my hands, and even my mouth (I blew the fall into the hole). Yes, I rock at mini golf! However, I did have one advantage: the guys kept complaining about the nasty water/fish stench. I grew up on the shore of a great lake... I smelt it but it didn't bother me. :-)
After mini golf, we went to the coffee shop and shared life. All four of us are bloggers, students, and Christians, but that's about where the similarities end. Sure, we're less than ten years apart in age, but we're all at different stages in life. The first time I ever worked with each of these guys individual, it was in various ministry settings. I see them as wonderful men of God and in their presence I don't feel the need to constantly be concerned with my appearance (or anything else girls fret about in a co-ed environment). Last night, we were each open with how we were doing academically and (more importantly) spiritually. It was great to hear what God is doing in the lives of these gentlemen. I know He's got great things in mind for them.
David, Keith, and I had each shared, and we were about ready to wrap up. Keith looked at John, "And how are you doing?" Keith and I are a lot alike--same double major, same germ-phobia, same thesis topic, same short attention span, etc.--but his conversation-starting ability is much better than mine. Sometimes it's a simple, "How is Katie today?" Other times, "What have you read lately?" Or, my personal favorite yet the most intimidating, "How are you and God doing lately?"
I was not surprised when he turned John's question around back on John himself. John, on the other than, was a little taken aback by it.
"You know, it's been a long time since someone has asked me that. My pastor does periodically, but no one else. Be aware of that if you go into ministry, no one asks how you're doing spiritually."
Eventually he gave us an answer, and we closed in prayer. His words, however, stayed with me: no one ever asks you that once you become a minister.
Do me a favor, be intentional about making a moment to ask your pastor how he or she is doing. If you're not comfortable with that, ask how you can pray for him/her most accurately. Be sure you follow through with that prayer, too! And follow up.
Even if you don't have the opportunity to ask your pastor, be intentional about asking someone.
Let me ask you: how are you and God doing? How can I most accurately pray for you? If you don't want to comment publically, pull me aside in the caf, send me an email, do something. I'd love to hear about what God is doing in your life and where you need some extra prayer.
Learning to be intentional and how to play mini golf,
<>< Katie
As part of the college ministry at my Baptist church, John, Keith, David, and I went out on Friday evening. It was a little weird because I was the only female among three guys. Before coming to college, my only brother was the tractor. I didn't have a lot of male friends. I was pretty much clueless as to how guys work. Well, ok, I still am but I'm learning. Last night was a nice challenge for me.
Putt putt was fun. I won! I had the highest score! Unlike in soccer (which I still call futbol), you can use anything and everything including my proper end of my golf club, the handle end of the club (like a pool cue), my feet, my hands, and even my mouth (I blew the fall into the hole). Yes, I rock at mini golf! However, I did have one advantage: the guys kept complaining about the nasty water/fish stench. I grew up on the shore of a great lake... I smelt it but it didn't bother me. :-)
After mini golf, we went to the coffee shop and shared life. All four of us are bloggers, students, and Christians, but that's about where the similarities end. Sure, we're less than ten years apart in age, but we're all at different stages in life. The first time I ever worked with each of these guys individual, it was in various ministry settings. I see them as wonderful men of God and in their presence I don't feel the need to constantly be concerned with my appearance (or anything else girls fret about in a co-ed environment). Last night, we were each open with how we were doing academically and (more importantly) spiritually. It was great to hear what God is doing in the lives of these gentlemen. I know He's got great things in mind for them.
David, Keith, and I had each shared, and we were about ready to wrap up. Keith looked at John, "And how are you doing?" Keith and I are a lot alike--same double major, same germ-phobia, same thesis topic, same short attention span, etc.--but his conversation-starting ability is much better than mine. Sometimes it's a simple, "How is Katie today?" Other times, "What have you read lately?" Or, my personal favorite yet the most intimidating, "How are you and God doing lately?"
I was not surprised when he turned John's question around back on John himself. John, on the other than, was a little taken aback by it.
"You know, it's been a long time since someone has asked me that. My pastor does periodically, but no one else. Be aware of that if you go into ministry, no one asks how you're doing spiritually."
Eventually he gave us an answer, and we closed in prayer. His words, however, stayed with me: no one ever asks you that once you become a minister.
Do me a favor, be intentional about making a moment to ask your pastor how he or she is doing. If you're not comfortable with that, ask how you can pray for him/her most accurately. Be sure you follow through with that prayer, too! And follow up.
Even if you don't have the opportunity to ask your pastor, be intentional about asking someone.
Let me ask you: how are you and God doing? How can I most accurately pray for you? If you don't want to comment publically, pull me aside in the caf, send me an email, do something. I'd love to hear about what God is doing in your life and where you need some extra prayer.
Learning to be intentional and how to play mini golf,
<>< Katie
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Crisis Averted
After almost a month of scrapbook, I'm getting close to finishing my Guatemala scrapbook. It's been wonderful to relive that week and reminisce about the silly stories, the God moments, and the tedious work.
One day, we went to Lago Atilan and took a boat ride to a market on the other side of the lake. The bus ride to the boat was about three hours and at one point we hit construction traffic so bad that our driver turned off the bus. The peddlers loved this as they swarmed our bus like bees on a piece of fruit. I can just imagine them saying to each other, "Look at that bus of rich American tourists! Let's go sell some stuff!" First of all, college students are not rich. Secondly, we wanted to buy our souvenirs at our final destination not on the road to the market.
Neal had a short list of items he wanted to take home to his kids, and he knew he wanted to get his son a slingshot. The peddlers had a cute slingshot with a man on the handle. Neal opted against passing up this opportunity and purchased a slingshot through the window.
Evan, one of our team members, had a sunhat he'd been wearing all week. Not very diligently, I might add, or he would not have been burnt to a crisp. Well, while we were on the boat, his hat blew off. We continued out journey leaving Evan's beloved hat in the distance. We teased about the Guatemalan kayaker who would enjoy Evan's hat and cherish it like a prized possession.
As we were about to disembark, our host warned us about an idol worshiped in Guatemala. Since we were indeed a Christian mission team, it would not be good for us to buy this idol but rather use that moment as a witnessing opportunity and scream "SOLO JESÚS CHRISTO" as we fled. :-)
"What does the idol look like so we don't buy it by mistake?"
"It's a man with a cigar and a sun hat," Neal explained.
"Sort of like Evan's that just blew away?"
"Yes! God took care of that one for us," Neal said with a smile.
"Hey, Neal," I asked, "what's the difference between this idol and the little man on the slingshot you bought for your son?"
Oops. The slingshot didn't actually have the idol on it but rather a similar knock-off, but either way Neal could not give this gift to his son.
Be careful what you buy and don't fret if you lose something, maybe God was just taking care of the situation for you.
In Christ,
<>< Katie
One day, we went to Lago Atilan and took a boat ride to a market on the other side of the lake. The bus ride to the boat was about three hours and at one point we hit construction traffic so bad that our driver turned off the bus. The peddlers loved this as they swarmed our bus like bees on a piece of fruit. I can just imagine them saying to each other, "Look at that bus of rich American tourists! Let's go sell some stuff!" First of all, college students are not rich. Secondly, we wanted to buy our souvenirs at our final destination not on the road to the market.
Neal had a short list of items he wanted to take home to his kids, and he knew he wanted to get his son a slingshot. The peddlers had a cute slingshot with a man on the handle. Neal opted against passing up this opportunity and purchased a slingshot through the window.
Evan, one of our team members, had a sunhat he'd been wearing all week. Not very diligently, I might add, or he would not have been burnt to a crisp. Well, while we were on the boat, his hat blew off. We continued out journey leaving Evan's beloved hat in the distance. We teased about the Guatemalan kayaker who would enjoy Evan's hat and cherish it like a prized possession.
As we were about to disembark, our host warned us about an idol worshiped in Guatemala. Since we were indeed a Christian mission team, it would not be good for us to buy this idol but rather use that moment as a witnessing opportunity and scream "SOLO JESÚS CHRISTO" as we fled. :-)
"What does the idol look like so we don't buy it by mistake?"
"It's a man with a cigar and a sun hat," Neal explained.
"Sort of like Evan's that just blew away?"
"Yes! God took care of that one for us," Neal said with a smile.
"Hey, Neal," I asked, "what's the difference between this idol and the little man on the slingshot you bought for your son?"
Oops. The slingshot didn't actually have the idol on it but rather a similar knock-off, but either way Neal could not give this gift to his son.
Be careful what you buy and don't fret if you lose something, maybe God was just taking care of the situation for you.
In Christ,
<>< Katie
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